In Montessori, birthdays are a celebration of life, and so we have a birthday walk ceremony that the children get to participate in when it is their birthday. Today, it was India's birthday, and I thought I would snap some quick pictures to show off this sweet ceremony and to show how much the children love it.
The ceremony is a concrete way for young children to understand the months, seasons and the earth's revolution around the sun. It is also a way for the children to feel special and to connect with their place in the world. The ceremony begins with the birthday child placing a sun (a lamp) in the middle of our rug and turning it on. The lights are then darkened and they hold a small globe to symbolize the the earth's rotation around the sun and the passing of a year.
As India starts to walk around the sun the first time, Miss JaNae talks about how she were born, and the things she could have done while she was a baby. The second time she starts around the circle she has turned one, and she would be walking, and talking. The third time she starts around the circle she has turned two and Miss JaNae talks about how she is trying to keep up with with her siblings and how she came to visit Miss JaNae at her school. Once she walks around the circle her fourth time, she stops. She has turned four!
After her life walk, the kids sing happy birthday to India and then count to her birthday number in two languages - which India gets to choose. Today she choose Spanish and English.
In honor of their day, the birthday child will often give a small snack or treat to the class. We usually wait until we are outside and ready for pick up before the birthday boy or girl gives these out. As each child's parent or ride arrives, they go and give the birthday kid a special Happy Birthday good-bye and receive a small treat from him or her. India brought cookies - and she had a lot of fun receiving all her birthday wishes and handing out treats to her friends. Thank you India for letting us share your special day with you!
Please remember that parents are welcome to visit the classroom any time they wish, and we would be honored if you would like to attend your child's birthday walk. As always, you can call Miss JaNae if you have any questions.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
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