Unbelievably, Term 1 2018 is already done and dusted! I hope your child has had a happy and successful first term at school. This year, Easter falls at the beginning of the school holidays, starting with Good Friday on March 30. Whether you are religious or not, Easter is a happy time of the year and a lovely opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends.
Here are some interesting facts about Easter you might care to share with your child.
Easter is a Christian festival forming part of Holy week, which consists of; Palm Sunday - the week before Easter Sunday, Good Thursday - the day of Jesus' Last Supper, Good Friday - the day that Jesus was crucified, and Easter Sunday - the day Jesus rose from the dead.
The word Easter originated from’ Eastre’, the Anglo-Saxon goddess who symbolises hare and egg.
The date we celebrate Easter changes from year to year. This is because Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon on the Spring Equinox between March 22 and April 25.
The Easter Bunny originated in Germany and the idea was taken to America during the 1700s. The first story of a rabbit (later named the ‘Easter Bunny’), hiding eggs in a garden was published in 1680.
The tallest chocolate Easter egg was made in Italy in 2011. It was 10.39 metres tall and weighed 7,200 kilograms! That’s taller than a giraffe and heavier than an elephant.
The traditional act of painting eggs is called Pysanka.
Apparently, about 80% of people prefer to eat the ears on a chocolate bunny first! Only 5% start with the tail.
In Australia, the Easter Bunny is widely controversial due to the damage rabbits cause to crops. Many Australians buy a chocolate Easter Bilby instead. Profits from many sales go to support bilby conservation projects.
Australians also enjoy eating hot cross buns. Some believe that the cross on a hot cross bun is a symbol of the cross Jesus was nailed to, but in fact, the Anglo-Saxons ate these buns, decorating them with a cross to symbolise the four quarters of the moon. In English folklore, it is believed that hot cross buns would help an ill person get better.
However you choose to spend the Easter break, go easy on the chocolate and may it be a happy time for all. Enjoy the break - Term 2 is just around the corner!
Karen Carter is Co-Director at Kip McGrath Education Centre Burpengary, providing professional tuition by qualified teachers in Maths and English for Primary and Secondary students. Visit www.kipmcgrath.com.au/burpengary or phone 3888 2332 for a free assessment.