Tell it back

"But I don't want to sit down... I want to be out doing something..."

A familiar cry during the Easter break. Children liberated from the structure of school, and fueled with more chocolate than might be ideal, want to bounce. And why not? They are children after all!

But how can parents (and grandparents and aunts and godparents and friends) harness some of that boundless energy and creativity and use it this week to help their children understand the gospel better?

One way is to encourage them to tell the Easter story not just listen to it. A drama, a puppet show, a powerpoint presentation, a collage or painting, a photo story, an acted scene videoed and edited by them, a song written and performed all engage children (and adults for that matter) in the Easter story in new ways.

"Expression deepens impression" as the old adage goes. We learn something well when we explain it to others.

So today, as the teaching on Easter subsides and the structureless bank holiday proceeds, why not get out an age-appropriate version of the Bible, a box of creative tools and set the children you are naturally going to be coming into contact with the task of retelling the Easter story? The only parameters are that they need to be faithful to the biblical text and show how they are applying it to their life ... other than that, they can let their creative juices flow. And then promise them that you'll look at it after tea so they know just how interested you are in what they are doing.

Hours of fun and great potential for spiritual growth this Easter.

So go on, let them tell it back this year ...