Here’s a free Preschool lesson plan centered around the Easter theme. This would be great to do at home, daycare, Mother’s Morning Out program, or some of the ideas could even be used at Sunday School. This is an excerpt from my book, A to Z Toddler and Preschool Curriculum. BTW…we are working on being able to offer it in print (instead of just as an eBook). I’ll let you know when that happens.
Theme: Easter Week
Bible
- Scripture: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
- Tell Easter Story. Keep it simple: Make Homemade Resurrection Eggs-save and wash a half dozen egg carton; write numbers 1-6 inside each egg cup; write corresponding numbers on plastic Easter eggs; put the following items in each and use to tell the Easter story:
- #1 leaf (When Jesus entered Jerusalem, people waved palm leaves)
- #2 Cheerio (Jesus ate the “Last Supper” with his friends)
- #3 purple cloth (a purple robe was put on Jesus)
- #4 nail (Jesus was nailed to the cross & took the punishment for our sins)
- #5 cotton ball sprayed with perfume (spices used to prepare His body)
- #6 leave empty (Jesus was not in the tomb, He arose.)
Theme Learning
- Triumphal Entry – Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey; people took off their coats and put them on the ground for Jesus to ride on top of; they waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna,” which is a word people used to show praise and joy; give each child a “palm branch” you cut from green construction paper; let them wave the branch and sing, “Praise Him, Praise Him, All Ye Little Children…” or another praise song
- The Last Supper – Jesus and his disciples met to eat together; Jesus said the bread was to remind us of His body which He gave for us…the juice was to remind us of His blood which he shed on the cross for us. After supper, Jesus washed the disciples feet to show them that they should serve others (have the children take off socks and shoes and “wash” their feet with a wet wipe)
- Praying in the Garden – Judas (one of Jesus’ disciples) told soldiers where to find Jesus. He was praying in a garden. Peter didn’t want them to take Jesus. He took his sword and cut off one of the soldier’s ears. Jesus healed the soldier’s ear. He knew that this was God’s plan. The soldiers took Jesus.
- Crucifixion and Resurrection – Jesus was crucified on a cross. This was God’s plan because the punishment for sin (the bad things we do) is death. Jesus took our punishment. Jesus was buried in a tomb (like a cave). A big stone was placed in front of the tomb. Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave. Two ladies both named Mary came to see the tomb. They saw an angel sitting on the stone. The angel had moved the stone to show that no one was there. The angel said, “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.”
Letter Skills
- Review Letters covered so far
- Review all letter boxes A – T (each week, fill empty wet wipes containers with things that begin with the letter of the week…you will have 26 boxes at the end of the year)
- Sing the Alphabet Song to review all letters
- Erase the letter – write letters learned so far on the board (A-T); have student come up and erase the letter you say; repeat so that everyone has a turn
- Pick a Pocket game – purchase one of those hanging shoe organizers with lots of pockets; put a letter in each (cut out from paper or use ABC magnets); children take turns coming up and pulling letter from pocket – he should tell what letter it is and what sound it makes
- Trace magnetic alphabet letters
- Alphabet stamping – purchase a set of ABC stamps and stamp pad and let the children stamp the letters on white paper
- Play dough with alphabet cookie cutters
- Sing: What’s the Sound song to review all letters
What’s the Sound – tune B-I-N-G-O
What’s the sound that starts these words
_____ and _____ and ______
/ / is the sound, / / is the sound, / / is the sound
That starts ____, _____, and _____.
Math
- Review Numbers covered so far
- Flashlight Writing – turn off the lights and use a flashlight to “write” a number on the wall or ceiling; children must try to guess what number you wrote
- Who Has # __? game – give each child an index card that has a number on it; call out a number and those children who have it should stand; repeat several times and then let the children switch numbers with their neighbor
- Fishing for Numbers – provide a stick with yarn tied on one end; hot glue a magnet to the other end of the yarn; cut out fish shapes and add large metal gem clip at mouth; let children take turns fishing for the number you call out…or have them pull out a fish and tell you what number it is
- What Comes After game – call out a number and have children try to tell what number comes next…before
Shape Practice
- Diamond Hide and Seek: Hide diamond cutouts all over the house and let your toddler go on a diamond hunt.
- Diamond Stamping-cut diamond shape from inexpensive sponge and let child stamp away
Color
- Play with white play dough.
- Finger paint with white paint on black paper.
- Easter Egg Color Hunt: fill large rubber maid container with several bags of Easter grass (or paper from shredder); hid plastic eggs inside; as child finds egg, have him tell you the color
- Colorful Easter Table Cloth-purchase inexpensive twin size white sheet (or use old sheet); use clothespins to affix sheet to fencer or just lay on ground outside; fill several spray bottles with different colors of fabric paint; let child spray the paint all over the sheet; when dry these make colorful table clothes for the kid’s table during Easter dinner
Art
- Make Resurrection Eggs – see Bible section for more details; use half dozen size egg carton for each child (see Resources section for label and copies of little papers that go inside each egg explaining what each thing means)
- Easter Bucket-ask large restaurant like Cracker Barrel or a local public school to save a big vegetable can for you; wash out and spray paint white; let child add stickers, paint, fun foam Easter shapes, glitter, etc. to decorate; drill two holes in each side and string ribbon in holes for handle; put Easter grass in bottom
- “Dye” Easter Eggs-explain that the reason we “dye” them is to remember that Jesus “died” for us
- Decoupage Eggs-provide plastic Easter eggs; seasonal printed, brightly colored napkins; and watered down glue with paint brush; let child tear the napkins into small pieces; paint the egg with glue and stick napkin pieces on top; when covered, brush with glue all over to smooth down any loose ends; when dry, place in a basket and these will be a lovely table decoration
- Plant A Basket Full of Flowers-recycle old Easter basket by adding plastic to bottom for liner (large zip lock works well); add soil and seeds; attach a bow to handle; this makes a great Easter gift for grandparents
Music
- Jelly Bean Shaker-jelly beans are a choking hazard for young children, but they make great, colorful shakers; put jelly beans in clean water bottle; secure lid and shake away; toddlers will love looking at all the bright colored jelly beans shaking around
- Sing, “We Wish You a Happy Easter” as you would “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
- Sing, “Happy Easter to You” (like Happy Birthday) – Happy Easter to you…Happy Easter to you…Happy Easter dear friends…Happy Easter to you
- Do the Bunny Pokey-put your ears, nose, cotton tail, feet, etc. in
Game Time
- Easter Egg Hunt-explain that eggs are a sign of new life in Spring
- Bunny Hop Relay-have starting line and finish line and let children hop instead of run
- Pin Tail on Bunny-provide bunny outline and cotton ball for tail; invite friends over for this (focus should not be on Easter bunny; instead tell children that baby bunnies are born this time of year; Easter means new life)
Snack Idea
- Cross Shaped Jell-O Jigglers-make Jell-O Jigglers according to package directions; use cross shaped cookie cutter to cut
- Resurrection Rolls-unroll crescent rolls on baking sheet; take large marshmallow and roll in butter and then in cinnamon; place one in middle of each crescent roll and have child wrap crescent roll securely around the marshmallow; pinch any holes shut; bake according to crescent roll package directions (approx. 350 for 10 min.); marshmallow will melt leaving an empty “tomb;” these are meaningful and delicious
Fieldtrip Ideas
- Easter Egg Hunt outside