Birthday Celebrations at School

Birthday Celebrations at School

Ah! Birthdays at school! What a great time to be a kid! To be that kid that brings in the yummy treats! I know my son was a 'best friend' to all one day when I sent in eight different boxes of Little Debbie treats so all of the kids could pick what they wanted. I told him to make sure that these are eaten AT LUNCH time. Your teacher has plans for the entire day and it does not include eating Cosmic Brownies and Honey Buns! Hopefully, all allergy-prone children found something they could eat, as well.  Then I let his teacher keep the rest and use them however she would like.  Quick, easy, yummy!  And, unfortunately, filled with sugar.

How many times do our children consume sugar when we don't know about it? Some would say, "It's no big deal. They are kids. It's a part of growing up."  However when we consider the childhood obesity rate increasing in America, I did feel a tinge of guilt sending in the quick and easy sugary snacks. I know the kids were happy, and his teacher was (because they could eat them at lunch and not in the classroom interrupting instructional time), but would the parents be all that happy that their child was consuming around 300 calories that they didn't know about? What if they were having another celebration that day at home? What if they were consuming a large Coke and dinner not knowing about the other 300 calories. All of that sugar adds up.

What can we do? Well, as parents, we can talk to our kids, especially our older ones. Talk about health issues that kids might have and why sugary snacks are not the best idea. Then talk about alternatives - oranges, apples, boxes of raisins, etc. Talk about healthy options that kids could be given. Provide a cute tag with the fruit: "Orange you glad it's my birthday!"  "Thanks for being a friend."  "Did you know there are over 200 kinds of apples?"

Ask your child what kind of school supplies the students run out of in the classroom. Pencils, erasers, high lighters, markers, paper, ear buds?  Dollar stores sell ear buds! Did you know that?   A cute tag to go with ear buds: "You're a great friend...DID YOU HEAR ME?" Tag idea for pencils: "Go 'write on' being a good classmate"  Highlighter: "Did you know you are a highlight of the classroom?"

Ask the classroom teacher if there is something you could buy for the classroom. Maybe a or two game for indoor recess? Quick easy games could be Uno, Chutes and Ladders, Blokus, Mastermind, Connect Four, checkers, and Qwirkle. Stay away from Mouse Trap, Monopoly, Life, Chess, Risk, etc. as they take up too much time set up and/or play. Chess often causes some real competition issues, too.

If your child still wants to bring in sweets, then consider the mini cupcakes, the small cookies, and other smaller treats.  Please consider that the classroom is not a place for the child's party. In my 29 years of education in two districts and countless schools, I have witnessed parents bringing in full sheet cakes, ice cream, paper products, and balloons and expecting the teacher to provide the time for the "party", and, with no advanced communication. 

Communication with the classroom teacher is key. I have worked in birthday treats during our snack time. I know of another teacher who plans a birthday celebration for all. It is like another classroom party but the party is for everyone. Parents sign up to provide the treats, paper products, etc. This way EVERY STUDENT is acknowledged ... not a bad idea!

But please remember, students do not need to bring in anything. There are plenty of kids who do not bring in treats at all. Do not feel obligated. Whatever way you and your child want to celebrate a birthday is entirely up to you! One less sugary treat will not be missed!