Lesson Plan for Toddler - Christian Religious Studies - The Resurrection Of Jesus

## Lesson Plan: The Resurrection of Jesus **Target Audience:** Toddler Class (Ages 2-4) ### Objective: To introduce toddlers to the concept of Jesus' resurrection in a simple, engaging, and heart-warming way that they can understand and remember. This involves basic storytelling, interactive activities, and crafts. ### Materials: - Children’s Bible or Bible Storybook with illustrations - Picture cards depicting the story of the resurrection - Coloring pages with images of the tomb, angel, and Jesus - Crayons and markers - Soft play materials (e.g., soft blocks for the tomb) - A safe area for a simple play/walk activity ### Opening (5 minutes): 1. **Greeting:** Welcome each child warmly. 2. **Prayer:** Start with a simple prayer. - **Example:** “Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us. Help us to learn about you today. Amen.” ### Introduction (5 minutes): 1. **Circle Time:** Gather the children in a circle. 2. **Show and Tell:** Show a big, colorful picture of Jesus. - **Say:** “Today, we are going to learn an exciting story about Jesus. Can everyone say ‘Jesus’?” - Let the children repeat "Jesus." ### Bible Story (10 minutes): 1. **Read the Story:** Use the Children’s Bible or Bible Storybook to tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection. Use simple, clear language. - **Story Points:** - Jesus was very kind and taught people about God's love. - Some people didn’t understand Jesus and they put him on a cross, and Jesus died. - Jesus was placed in a tomb with a big stone in front of it. - On the third day, some friends came to visit Jesus and found the stone rolled away. - An angel told them, “Jesus is not here; He has risen!” - Jesus visited his friends and they were very happy. 2. **Show Pictures:** Use picture cards to visually represent each key point of the story. ### Discussion (5 minutes): 1. **Ask Simple Questions:** - “Who rolled the big stone away?” (Encourage responses, then say, “An angel!”) - “Where was Jesus?” (Encourage responses, then say, “He wasn’t in the tomb, He is alive!”) - “How did Jesus' friends feel when they saw him?” (Encourage responses, then say, “They were happy!”) 2. **Reinforce the story with repetition:** Repeat the main points in clear, simple terms. ### Activity 1: Coloring (10 minutes): 1. **Give out Coloring Pages:** Distribute coloring pages with images from the story. 2. **Color Together:** Encourage children to color the pictures of the tomb, angel, and Jesus while discussing the story. - Walk around, engage with each child, and talk about their drawings. ### Activity 2: Interactive Play (15 minutes): 1. **Soft Block Tomb:** - Set up a mock tomb using soft play materials or blocks. - Have a blanket or cloth to represent the stone. - Act out the angel rolling the stone away. 2. **Role Play:** - Let children take turns being Jesus' friends visiting the tomb. - Use the play area to mimic the story setting. - Adults/teachers can act as angels and narrate the story again. ### Closing (5 minutes): 1. **Summarize the Lesson:** - “Today we learned about Jesus’ resurrection. That means Jesus rose from the dead and is alive!” 2. **Sing a Song:** Simple song like “Jesus is Alive Today” or “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” with actions. - **Example:** "Jesus is alive, He’s alive today! Clap your hands and say hooray!" 3. **Closing Prayer:** - **Example:** “Dear Jesus, thank you for rising from the dead. Thank you for loving us so much. Amen.” ### Optional Take-Home: 1. **Hand Out Coloring Pages:** Allow children to take their coloring pages home. 2. **Parent Note:** Include a simple note for parents explaining the day's lesson and suggesting they talk about it at home. **Note:** Adjust the plan based on the attention span and needs of your specific group of toddlers, ensuring safety and engagement throughout the session.