Easter Exploration: Cultural and Religious Learning

At Sorella, we believe that learning about where celebrations come from — the stories, the symbols, the traditions, and the different ways families across the world celebrate tradition.

Why Cultural and Religious Learning Matters in Early Childhood

Young children are natural anthropologists. They are deeply curious about the way the world works — and that curiosity extends naturally to the question of how people live, what they believe, and why they celebrate. Research in early childhood development consistently shows that children who are introduced to cultural and religious diversity in their earliest years develop stronger empathy, more flexible thinking, and a more confident and grounded sense of their own identity.

The Early Years Learning Framework reminds us that children’s sense of belonging, being, and becoming is profoundly shaped by their experience of community and culture. When we explore Easter — its Christian origins, its pre-Christian seasonal roots, and its diverse expressions across communities around the world — we are not teaching theology. We are teaching children that the world is wider, richer, and more fascinating than any single perspective can contain. That is one of the most important early childhood lessons there is.

At Sorella Early Learning, our Griffin community brings together families from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. Our Easter exploration is designed to honour that diversity — reflecting the real fabric of our community back to the children in our care, and ensuring every child sees their own family’s way of experiencing the world as worthy of celebration and respect.

One of the most joyful aspects of Easter exploration in early learning is discovering how differently this season is celebrated across the world. Each tradition carries its own beauty, and each one opens a door to a new kind of wonder.

A glimpse of Easter around the world includes:

In Greece and Russia, Orthodox Easter — often celebrated on a different date to Western Easter — is marked by candlelit midnight services, the greeting “Christos Anesti!” (Christ is risen!), and the sharing of red-dyed eggs symbolising the blood of Christ and the joy of resurrection.
In Sweden and parts of Scandinavia, children dress as Easter witches — wearing headscarves and carrying broomsticks — and go door to door offering decorated twigs in exchange for sweets, in a tradition that blends ancient folklore with Christian celebration.
In Mexico and parts of Latin America, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is observed with elaborate processions, beautiful street art made from coloured sawdust and flowers, and deeply communal acts of remembrance and celebration.
In Australia, the Easter Bilby has become a beloved alternative to the Easter Bunny — a culturally resonant symbol that honours native wildlife and raises awareness of conservation, weaving First Nations perspectives into the seasonal story.
In Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Fasika is one of the most significant religious events of the year — marked by fasting, prayer, feasting, and the wearing of traditional white clothing in communities across the country.
In Poland, Śmigus-dyngus (Wet Monday) is celebrated on the day after Easter Sunday, when people playfully splash each other with water — a folk tradition believed to bring health and good fortune as the new season begins.

We actively invite families to share their traditions with us — through a photograph on our Celebrations Table, a recipe shared with the room, a visit to share a story, or simply a conversation with your child’s educator about how your household marks this time of year. The more our program reflects the real diversity of our Griffin community, the more meaningful and honest our children’s learning becomes.

And for families who may not observe Easter at all, we want you to know that your child is always held with care and respect in our Easter learning. Our approach is never prescriptive or exclusionary. We explore Easter as one of many rich human celebrations, and every child is free to engage with that exploration at their own level and in their own way.

We are proud to be a place in Griffin, Queensland, where that curiosity is welcomed, nurtured, and met with warmth. From our family to yours — may this Easter season bring you joy, connection, and a little unexpected wonder.

Further Reading & Sources