HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Birthdays are a special time, but many schools are discouraging cupcakes. (It's a sad day because as a teacher I loved when kids had birthdays and I got a cupcake.) Well, here's
an idea that is gluten free, sugar free, and sure to accommodate all food allergies while giving children a sweet birthday memory. You can watch me explain it on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53tvyWSWKA

Make a circle of friends and invite the birthday child to stand in the middle. The birthday child can choose friends to be the candles on their cake. For example, if they are five years old they select five friends; six years old six friends, etc. The candles/friends stand around the birthday child and then the rest of the class holds hands to make the birthday cake as they say:

Today is child’s name birthday.
Let’s make her/him a cake. (Circle arms to make a bowl.)
Stir and mix and mix and stir, (Pretend to stir.)
Then into the oven to bake. (Pretend to put cake in the oven.)
Here’s our cake so nice and round. (Circle arms.)
We’ll frost it with icing white. (Spread frosting with palm.)
We’ll put age candles on it. (Hold up fingers.)
To make her/his birthday bright.

After singing the traditional birthday song, let the birthday child “blow” out the candles. The candles wiggle down to the floor when they are blown out.

What else can you do?
*Make the traditional paper birthday crown for the child to decorate. (This is one of those ideas that is timeless. And, it emphasizes that children are happy with PLAIN VANILLA!)

*Make a “Happy Birthday” book. Each child in the classroom draws a picture of something they would like to give the birthday friend. A simple sentence like “My wish for you is_____.” could be added to the page. The birthday child decorates a large sheet of construction paper in which the pictures from their friends can be stapled to make a book.

*Give the birthday child one special wish. She can choose a game, book, song, friend to sit by, etc.

*Spray paint a chair gold and decorate with fake jewels. The “Fancy Nancy Chair” can be used for birthdays and other classroom celebrations.

*In my granddaughter’s school they “give” a favorite book to the class on their birthday.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Birthdays are a special time, but many schools are discouraging cupcakes. (It's a sad day because as a teacher I loved when kids had birthdays and I got a cupcake.) Well, here's an idea that is gluten free, sugar free, and sure to accommodate all food allergies while giving children a sweet birthday memory. You can watch me explain it on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53tvyWSWKA

Make a circle of friends and invite the birthday child to stand in the middle. The birthday child can choose friends to be the candles on their cake. For example, if they are five years old they select five friends; six years old six friends, etc. The candles/friends stand around the birthday child and then the rest of the class holds hands to make the birthday cake as they say:

Today is child’s name birthday.
Let’s make her/him a cake. (Circle arms to make a bowl.)
Stir and mix and mix and stir, (Pretend to stir.)
Then into the oven to bake. (Pretend to put cake in the oven.)
Here’s our cake so nice and round. (Circle arms.)
We’ll frost it with icing white. (Spread frosting with palm.)
We’ll put age candles on it. (Hold up fingers.)
To make her/his birthday bright.

After singing the traditional birthday song, let the birthday child “blow” out the candles. The candles wiggle down to the floor when they are blown out.


What else can you do?
*Make the traditional paper birthday crown for the child to decorate. (This is one of those ideas that is timeless. And, it emphasizes that children are happy with PLAIN VANILLA!)

*Make a “Happy Birthday” book. Each child in the classroom draws a picture of something they would like to give the birthday friend. A simple sentence like “My wish for you is_____.” could be added to the page. The birthday child decorates a large sheet of construction paper in which the pictures from their friends can be stapled to make a book.



*Give the birthday child one special wish. She can choose a game, book, song, friend to sit by, etc.

*Spray paint a chair gold and decorate with fake jewels. The “Fancy Nancy Chair” can be used for birthdays and other classroom celebrations.

*In my granddaughter’s school they “gave” a favorite book to the class on their birthday.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Birthdays are a special time, but many schools are discouraging cupcakes. (It's a sad day because as a teacher I loved when kids had birthdays and I got a cupcake.) Well, here's an idea that is gluten free, sugar free, and sure to accommodate all food allergies while giving children a sweet birthday memory. You can watch me explain it on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53tvyWSWKA

Make a circle of friends and invite the birthday child to stand in the middle. The birthday child can choose friends to be the candles on their cake. For example, if they are five years old they select five friends; six years old six friends, etc. The candles/friends stand around the birthday child and then the rest of the class holds hands to make the birthday cake as they say:

Today is child’s name birthday.
Let’s make her/him a cake. (Circle arms to make a bowl.)
Stir and mix and mix and stir, (Pretend to stir.)
Then into the oven to bake. (Pretend to put cake in the oven.)
Here’s our cake so nice and round. (Circle arms.)
We’ll frost it with icing white. (Spread frosting with palm.)
We’ll put age candles on it. (Hold up fingers.)
To make her/his birthday bright.

After singing the traditional birthday song, let the birthday child “blow” out the candles. The candles wiggle down to the floor when they are blown out.


What else can you do?
*Make the traditional paper birthday crown for the child to decorate. (This is one of those ideas that is timeless. And, it emphasizes that children are happy with PLAIN VANILLA!)

*Make a “Happy Birthday” book. Each child in the classroom draws a picture of something they would like to give the birthday friend. A simple sentence like “My wish for you is_____.” could be added to the page. The birthday child decorates a large sheet of construction paper in which the pictures from their friends can be stapled to make a book.

*Give the birthday child one special wish. She can choose a game, book, song, friend to sit by, etc.

*Spray paint a chair gold and decorate with fake jewels. The “Fancy Nancy Chair” can be used for birthdays and other classroom celebrations.

*In my granddaughter’s school they “gave” a favorite book to the class on their birthday.

BIRTHDAYS!

Birthdays are so special  to children and a perfect opportunity to make each child feel important and loved!  Here’s an idea that is gluten free, sugar free, and sure to accommodate all food allergies while giving children a special birthday memory. You can watch me explain it on this video:

Click to view video

Make a circle of friends and invite the birthday child to stand in the middle. The birthday child can choose friends to be the candles on their cake. For example, if they are five years old they select five friends; six years old six friends, etc. The candles/friends stand around the birthday child and then the rest of the class holds hands to make the birthday cake as they say:

Today is child’s name birthday.
Let’s make her/him a cake. (Circle arms to make a bowl.)
Stir and mix and mix and stir, (Pretend to stir.)
Then into the oven to bake. (Pretend to put cake in the oven.)
Here’s our cake so nice and round. (Circle arms.)
We’ll frost it with icing white. (Spread frosting with palm.)
We’ll put age candles on it. (Hold up fingers.)
To make her/his birthday bright.

After singing the traditional birthday song, let the birthday child “blow” out the candles. The candles wiggle down to the floor when they are blown out.

What else can you do?
*Make the traditional paper birthday crown for the child to decorate. (This is one of those ideas that is timeless. And, it emphasizes that children are happy with PLAIN VANILLA!)

*Make a “Happy Birthday” book. Each child in the classroom draws a picture of something they would like to give the birthday friend. A simple sentence like “My wish for you is_____.” could be added to the page. The birthday child decorates a large sheet of construction paper in which the pictures from their friends can be stapled to make a book.

                                 

*Give the birthday child one special wish. She can choose a game, book, song, friend to sit by, etc.

*Spray paint a chair gold and decorate with fake jewels. The “Fancy Nancy Chair” can be used for birthdays and other classroom celebrations.

*In my granddaughter’s school they “give” a favorite book to the class on their birthday.

On a personal note, my brother passed away about a year ago.  I remember when he turned 70 he went to his local convenience store and had a hotdog and a Coke to celebrate.  He could have had anything he wanted, but on his special day he chose "junk" over his usual healthy fare.  (It's in our genes because my siblings and I all love potato chips, hotdogs, and Cokes!!)
Jack’s birthday was September 5th and he told me that every month on the 5th day he was going to splurge and have or do something special. I like the idea of celebrating each month, don’t you?  Happy Birthday in Heaven, Jack!  

CELEBRATIONS!

Every day can be a holiday with these celebrations!

New Shoes (Tune: "This Old Man")
When children wear a new pair of shoes to school, have them stand and dance as you sing this song to the tune of “This Old Man.”

Here’s one foot. (Child sticks out one foot.)
Here are two. (Child sticks out other foot.)
Each is wearing a brand, new shoe,
So stand up, turn around,
Dance around the floor.(Child dances in a circle.)
That’s what these two feet are for. (Point to feet.)

Welcome Back (Tune: "The Bear Went over the Mountain")
If a child has been absent, insert their name in this song when they return to school to let them know you missed them.

Welcome back child’s name.
Welcome back child’s name.
Welcome back child’s name.
We’re glad you’re here today.

Loose Tooth
Celebrate when a child loses a tooth by using their name I this tune of “Turkey in the Straw.”
Oh, look in child’s name mouth
And what do you see?
A great, big hole where a tooth used to be.
Well, they wiggled it and jiggled it until it wiggled free.
Now, there’s a window when they smile at me.



Happy Haircut (Tune: "Happy Birthday to You")
Only sing this song if the children like their haircut. We've all had haircuts where we wanted to hide in a sack!

Happy haircut to you.
Happy haircut to you.
You're sure lookin' good!
Happy haircut to you.

                                                     


Birthday Song
Today is the birthday of somebody who
Is happy and smiling and right in our room.
Now look all around you and tell me just who…
Is happy and smiling, my goodness, it’s you! (Point to the birthday child.)

Today is child’s name birthday.
Let’s make them a cake. (Pretend to hold a bowl
Stir and mix and mix and stir, and stir.)
Then into the oven to bake. (Put cake in the oven.)
Here’s our cake so nice and round. (Make a circle with arms.)
We’ll frost it with icing white. (Pretend to put on frosting.)
We’ll put _____ candles on it (Hold up age with fingers.)
To make their birthday bright!

*Here’s a video where I demonstrate the song and chant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tgtt4lZsoI

     

Birthday Cake (Non-edible!)
How about a cake that is sugar free, gluten free, and lactose free? You can make a “human birthday cake” by having all the children in the room hold hands and make a circle. Let the birthday child get in the middle and choose friends (the number for how old they are) to be the candles on the cake. The candle/friends stand around the birthday child and put their arms over their heads like a flame. When the birthday child “blows” them out, they melt to the ground.

Birthday Book
Give each child a sheet of paper and ask them to draw a picture of a gift they’d like to give to the birthday friend. The birthday child gets a big sheet of construction paper to decorate like the cover of the book. Each classmate presents her picture to the birthday child as they say, “Happy birthday (child’s name). Here is (what they’ve drawn) just for you.” Staple their pictures in the construction paper to make a special book.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Here’s an idea that is gluten free, sugar free, and sure to accommodate all food allergies while giving children a special birthday memory. You can watch me explain it on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53tvyWSWKA

Make a circle of friends and invite the birthday child to stand in the middle. The birthday child can choose friends to be the candles on their cake. For example, if they are five years old they select five friends; six years old six friends, etc. The candles/friends stand around the birthday child and then the rest of the class holds hands to make the birthday cake as they say:

       Today is child’s name birthday.
       Let’s make her/him a cake. (Circle arms to make a bowl.)
       Stir and mix and mix and stir, (Pretend to stir.)
       Then into the oven to bake. (Pretend to put cake in the oven.)
       Here’s our cake so nice and round. (Circle arms.)
       We’ll frost it with icing white. (Spread frosting with palm.)
       We’ll put age candles on it. (Hold up fingers.)
       To make her/his birthday bright.

After singing the traditional birthday song, let the birthday child “blow” out the candles. The candles wiggle down to the floor when they are blown out.

What else can you do?
*Make the traditional paper birthday crown for the child to decorate.  (This is one of those ideas that is timeless.  And, it emphasizes that children are happy with PLAIN VANILLA!)

*Make a “Happy Birthday” book. Each child in the classroom draws a picture of something they would like to give the birthday friend. A simple sentence like “My wish for you is_____.” could be added to the page. The birthday child decorates a large sheet of construction paper in which the pictures from their friends can be stapled to make a book.

*Give the birthday child one special wish. She can choose a game, book, song, friend to sit by, etc.

*Spray paint a chair gold and decorate with fake jewels. The “Fancy Nancy Chair” can be used for birthdays and other classroom celebrations.

*In my granddaughter’s school they “give” a favorite book to the class on their birthday.

My friend Janice Vinci shared this idea:
For birthdays non-food treats can be sent in. Each child draws a present and we make a book for the child. While they are drawing the present, we listen to the Birthday ABC song on Totally Reading. The child decorates the cover! The birthday child also has no homework! Hopefully they will remember turning six in kindergarten!!!!

Hint! Be sure and celebrate summer birthdays in May.