Parents speak out about the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunt tradition
As it is the Easter weekend, Review spoke to a few parents in Polokwane to find out how they build up to the Easter and how they introduce the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs to their children
POLOKWANE – Fantasy and imaginative playing form a crucial part of a child’s development as children use a fantasy to envision a end goal.
Parents can instigate a child’s creativity by inspiring imaginative thinking with tale tales of the Easter Bunny, Santa Clause and the tooth fairy and many other imaginative fantasy characters to make childhood fun and exciting.
The story of the Easter Bunny is thought to have become common in the 19th Century. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of kittens, so they became a symbol of new life. Legend has it that the Easter bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life. Easter eggs represent Jesus’ resurrection, however, this association came much later through Roman Catholicism.
As it is the Easter weekend, Review spoke to a few parents in Polokwane to find out how they build up to the Easter and how they introduce the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs to their children
Diapo Letsoalo: “It is kind of difficult to pass on a tradition we have no experience of. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why we, as the older generation, find it hard to partake in activities such as an Easter egg hunt and the tooth fairy coming to fetch your tooth and giving you money, however they do have elements of fun in them and I think every child should and will enjoy considering they are given the right amount of excitement about it.”Mokgadi Makwala said that she plans to go all out this Easter to make sure that her child enjoys it and anticipates the next one. “Fun and children go hand in hand, teaching children about fantasy characters such as the Easter Bunny, tooth fairy and Santa Clause makes them look forward to those holidays and that also makes for a fun family bonding session and not forgetting memories created. I plan to buy some Easter Eggs and hide them and have my daughter and her cousin hunt for them.Mathari Mamatlaruma: “Tales were a norm growing up at home, however, we were told tales by elders who sparked imagination in us at night before we went to bed. As far as having the Easter bunny bringing us chocolates shaped in the form of an egg or even a bunny, that was far fetched, but the tradition seems to be growing into our culture very well.Bernard Davids said that they still hide chocolate treats in their backyard and in the house and have the children at his home look for them. “They are taught about the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy at school, so it is our responsibility as parents to ensure that we do not kill their imagination and creativity as a result by telling them that such things do not exist. They had a fun element of wonder which will grow with them aside from instilling certain beliefs and hopes in them,” he added.Thabiso Moagi: “Story books and movies centered around the Easter Bunny should help to prepare as well as build up for the Easter weekend and the Easter bunny. Children learn from visuals and I think when they see the Easter bunny on tv, laying the eggs and hiding them and other children hunting for them, should excite them and make them look forward to the day or weekend. Similar to how when we were growing up we were told that Santa Claus will come give us presents on Christmas eve.
