Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/empowering-celebrations-exploring-student-led-birthday-parties-in-classroom-settings/5027319/
*Photos can be found in the pdf version of this article.
My introduction to an unconventional, food-free birthday celebration came during my time at a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool in 2005. Previously, I had always associated birthdays with traditional, food-focused festivities, but this experience shifted my perspective. The school’s approach prioritized inclusivity for children with food allergies by emphasizing the celebration of the child above all else. External food, including treats, goodie bags, cakes, and decorations, were not part of the equation. Instead, parents were asked to create a personalized poster board with snapshots from the child’s life, showcasing cherished moments, family members, experiences, and meaningful traditions. The child embarked on a “birthday walk,” circling around a chosen object, completing one lap for each year of their age (The classrooms were multi-aged, ranging from 3-5 years of age). Some teachers incorporated a candle, while others were a bit more creative and utilized a wooden cake.
I chose to engage my students more actively by involving them in the design and creation of a make-believe cake. As each child’s birthday approached, a group of interested students would gather to design the perfect pretend cake for their classmate. What truly amazed me was witnessing the depth ...