Birthdays are exciting for EVERYONE, especially children. It's a special day when they are recognized and appreciated. In our room, all festivities occur after lunch and right around 2:00. We finish up our work for the day and get set with our backpacks ready to leave since we won't have any time after the "partaaay" begins!
First off I read the story, The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle.
The students just LOVE this book! I read it at EVERY birthday so it becomes a class tradition. I also change the name in the book to be the birthday boy's or girl's name. Then we all sing "Happy Birthday" as the child stands up in front of the class to fully receive all the LOVE that flows at that time. We end with "jazz hands" at "... and many MORE!..." We all laugh and giggle. If the child brought treats, we get one on our way out to the "party" which is really just 10 minutes of free play on the playground. I do require that every child takes a few seconds to say "Happy birthday" personally to the birthday girl or boy and I always suggest that they play with the birthday boy or girl.
Sometimes, a birthday falls in the summer when school is not in session. It's just not fair that everyone doesn't get the pleasure of hearing their classmates sing and wish them a happy birthday. In those cases, we celebrate their "half birthday", usually in December or January. They get the full birthday treatment,--just 1/2 a year in advance of their birthday!
Birthday cupcakes or not, EVERYONE loves celebrating a birthday in our classroom. We have two more coming up in September, which includes mine, and 18 more to follow this year. I know I'm excited! Happy birthday once more, Andrew and Kayden!
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