What do your class birthdays look like right now? Do they help your child feel special? Do they promote community? Do they center around treats that families provide that may not meet the nutritional wants and needs of your children’s families?
School and childcare birthday celebrations often center around treats brought in by families, and maybe a gift given by the child’s teacher. Celebrations that hinge on the child’s parent bringing something in can highlight class differences, and can be difficult for children with allergies and food sensitivities who may not be able to participate.
At my little nature preschool, Wildlings Nature School, we prioritize community, a connection with nature, and a predictable flow that is child-led and promotes feelings of safety in children. Birthdays are an opportunity to highlight each of these values in a way that is inexpensive, healthy, and feels special. Keep reading to learn how Wildlings Nature School does birthdays!
My birthday ceremony routine is influenced by my time student teaching at Wind Ridge Schoolhouse in Duluth, MN.
What I create as a teacher
At the beginning of my nature preschool, I created a large sun shape out of yellow fleece, a crown for each season (cut out felt), and corresponding felt numbers and pictures with velcro on the back. I love opportunities to be creative, and seeing the children’s joy when they get to wear a special crown for their ceremony brings so much joy to my heart!
The children work together to make a special snack
The children take ownership of making their friend’s birthday celebration special by helping to make a special snack to share. Our favorites are popcorn and allergen-free cookies that the children help to bake.
The children gather for our sun ceremony
To start the ceremony, the birthday child puts on the special crown, and is instructed to walk around the sun as many times as the year they have turned. For example, a four year-old child will walk around the sun four times to represent their four trips around the sun. The passage of time is quite abstract to young children, and simple routines such as these can help them anchor to what the passage of time means in nature.
After the children travel around the sun, their friends sing Happy Birthday to them.
The children have a tea party together
Finally, the children enjoy tea and the class-made treat together. When the children finish their snack and tea (we love this tea!), they clean up after themselves and drift into play.
Thank you for reading about how we celebrate birthdays at Wildlings Nature School! How can you create community and promote connection to nature in your birthday celebration with your children?
