I am going to play the Devils advocate here...no pun intended...

Although I have been a SS teacher to 2nd-3rd graders for 30 years and I am NOT ashamed of the gospel, after thinking more serious lately about this subject, I have come to understand this Pastors most likely reasoning...

Easter traditionally, is the most packed at any church I've been involved with.Therefore, the "unchurched" children get maybe their only opportunity to "experience" children's church. And by all means, you don't want to lay the crucifixion at their feet! Why would they EVER want to come back after hearing the total brutality our Savior suffered...FOR US!! Way over their heads for sure!! Resurrection? ABSOLUTELY!! Christ's betrayal, beating and ultimately his death is NOT the Easter story 4-9 yrs old would comprehend. Maybe an explanation of what the Pastor was envisioning could have been more detailed.