Birthday celebrations are very special in early childhood, and this year, we are starting a new tradition!
For each child’s birthday, we invite families to come and celebrate with the class. The teacher asks the parents for details about when the child was conceived and the day they were born, then tells a story of a heavenly child crossing the rainbow bridge to join their family. The child helps bake the birthday cake, and the class prepares the room for the celebration by setting the table with special placemats and napkins, and decorating the rainbow bridge for the birthday story.
In past years, teachers have made a handmade gift for this special day. This year, the gift will be a very special Waldorf birthday crown that the child will keep throughout their time in early childhood.
Each year on their birthday, their crown will receive a new symbol to go along with the birthday story: “Here are your gifts from the sun, moon, and stars…”
In addition, the child will receive a birthday candle filled with the class’s wishes and a birthday card.
☀️ The 4-year-olds (Little Oaks) will receive a crown with a sun on it.
⭐️ The 5-year-olds (Rising Stars) will receive a crown with a star on it.
🌙 The 6-year-olds (Mighty Oaks) will receive a crown with a moon on it.
Next year, our Rising Stars and Mighty Oaks will bring their crowns back to receive their new symbol as part of the birthday celebration, helping to maintain the reverence of this special gift and the importance of this day for the child and their family.
Here’s a sneak peek of what they may look like!
