Kiddy triduum

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katy

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The 5-year-old grandson is staying for Friday, Saturday, and Easter Sunday. I’d like to do some things that are not too much for him, but still take in more than just the Easter Bunny and candy. Our Good Friday service will be about an hour. Would that be too much? Does anyone have a good way of explaining the importance of this time to a kindergartener?
 
katy said:
The 5-year-old grandson is staying for Friday, Saturday, and Easter Sunday. I’d like to do some things that are not too much for him, but still take in more than just the Easter Bunny and candy. Our Good Friday service will be about an hour. Would that be too much? Does anyone have a good way of explaining the importance of this time to a kindergartener?
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Depends on the child. If he is ADHD, and hour may be too long for you (he will probably survive). If he is ADD, you will probably survive if you are not focused on him, and he will probably survive.

If he has neither of these issues, both of you most likely will make it through ok.

You explain it in fairly simple terms. Start by asking him what he thought of some specific part of it. Asking what he thought of the whole service is too broad a question for a child that age. He’s only 5, so he may not have a lot of questions. Then again, he may surprise you.
 
Take him to all the events, especially if there is an area for him to go to when he gets a little anxious…But I guarantee you if you explain to him what is going on, he will be curious. Kids love when grownups tell them stories…share the Easter story with him, it is wonderful to watch them soak up the wonders and awe of Jesus’ live and death. It’s never too early to start.

Especially the feet washing part on Holy Thursday, the ability to go and venerate the cross on Good Friday, or even a Stations of the Cross service if one is available, even if he is little. Easter Vigil mass may be a little long for him, but I am sure the Easter mass on Sunday will not be too.

We took all of our kids to mass, even as infants, and now they are college age and look forward to it and attend even away in school.
Take age appropriate books about the mass, even provide them with their own prayer book with pictures if possible.
I would avoid food or toys at all costs. Instead explain, we are going to visit Jesus.

Try it you may be very pleasantly surprised! God bless you at Easter !
 
I’ve heard it’s traditional to eat hot cross buns on Good Friday for breakfast. Maybe you could make some together? Easter Cookies could be a good idea too, these cookies have a very good message, both while making them and baking:

cherbearsden.com/cookies.html
 
I did get a little mass book for him. I have no idea how to explain the veneration of the Cross to a child. The Easter vigil is definitely out, but we will definitely take him to Easter morning mass.
 
Color eggs with them and give them an explanation of the empty tomb…

Also if your church has an Easter basket blessing of your Easter food, bring him along. There are many things you can do!
 
katy said:
I did get a little mass book for him. I have no idea how to explain the veneration of the Cross to a child. The Easter vigil is definitely out, but we will definitely take him to Easter morning mass.
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Explain to him that we give reverence-- or respect-- to important things. Just like he gives reverence to our country’s flag when he says the pledge of allegiance, by standing up, facing the flag, and putting his hand over his heart (I assume kindergarteners still say the pledge?), so to do we give reverence to Christ’s cross by kissing it. Just like we respect our elders by calling them, “Mr.” or, “Mrs.” and never by their first name, so to we give appropriate respect/reverence to all things. That’s also a good one he might relate well to-- as a kindergartener I could have never have though of calling my teaching by their first name!

But, besides a simple explanation, don’t worry. Just do it! He’ll learn infinitely more from watching what you and everyone else does, and doing it himself. What’s better, it will be a practical knowledge. Little kids aren’t as good at the abstract level, but being taught to behave or act in a certain way is very concrete. Besides, the religious practices I was taught as a child have become fond to me because of the fact. I still associate fondly with St. Alphonsus de Liguori’s Stations of the Cross because of the Catholic elementary schooling of my youth. 😉

-Rob
 
Our preschoolers and kindergarteners here at school are much more interested in the Passion than they are in Christmas, particularly the Stations. If you give him a pep talk before you leave, maybe find some coloring pages online in preparation and after (a little late to get a good Catholic coloring book), he should be fine. If he is not used to going to church, explain to him about being quiet- please.
 
We will have a living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday afternoon - if there is one in your area, that would be interesting for a child.

The Good Friday service is so special, and the little kids are always excited to “go up and give Jesus a kiss”.
 
It may snow here tomorrow.:mad: So probably no outdoor activities. I will try the idea of giving Jesus a kiss.
 
Also if you have any jelly beans…here’s a prayer to teach them

The Jelly Bean Prayer( author unknown)

Red is for the blood He gave,

Green is for the grass He made.

Yellow is for His sun so bright,

Orange is for the edge of night.

Black is for the sin we made,

White is for the grace He gave.

Purple is for His hours of sorrow,

Pink is for our new tomorrow!
 
Thank you.
BTW, he was impressed with the Good Friday evening service. He came back to our house, said he was going to be like the priest, and prostrated himself the same as the priest did before the altar. He probably had no idea what that was about, but it definitely made an impression that he wanted to imitate. I think that is good.
 
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