Birthdays

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Home : 2005 : April : 6

Birthdays
By Kate

I too celebrate birthdays in Kindergarten. Our school does not allow celebrations in any other grade level, so this is a BIG event. And, I have to admit, I do not go overboard due to our half day schedule.

At the beginning of each month, the students celebrating a birthday during the month put a birthday sticker on the calendar and write their name. We can count down the days until their birthday! (This builds some excitement.) The birthday child gets a crown upon arrival at school. I keep a "birthday box" filled with small toys, stickers, shoelaces, mostly things from Oriental Trading

or IPARTY and the birthday child gets to pick two or three items from the birthday box. The child brings in a snack and a special book from home (which is read at circle time). Of course, they sit in a birthday chair (mine is a small wooden chair that the children help paint the first week of school-on the back of the chair I paint the words "Happy Birthday") during snack time. We sing "Happy Birthday" at snack time and I take a Polaroid picture (we don't have a digital camera). Finally, at one center in the classroom during our "work time/centers", the students sign a "class birthday card". I fold a large piece of construction paper (12"x18") in half and write "Happy Birthday" on the front. Inside the students sign their name and draw something small (flower, heart, smiley face, rainbow...). On the cover I attach the polaroid picture. This is a favorite keepsake. It's a fairly simple celebration.