Celebrating a child’s birthday is not only about the presents and the cake.
It is about creating lasting memories and traditions that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It is an opportunity for parents and teachers to show their love and affection and to create a sense of belonging and community.
Birthdays are a special time for children. We believe that this milestone should be celebrated in a meaningful way. At Chabad ELC, little ones look forward to being honored with our Birthday Schedule.
What’s interesting about the Birthday Schedule
In our classroom, we have a poster with eight ways to participate in the festivity, which we call the Birthday Schedule. This schedule is designed to create a fun and educational experience for children while instilling important values such as charity and community.
At Chabad, the Birthday Schedule reinforces these things:
- For children, having their birthday celebration with their friends and family can also give them a sense of belonging. It makes them feel that they are an important part of the family and that they are loved. It’s a time for parents, grandparents, siblings, classmates, and friends to spend quality time together and create beautiful memories.
- In addition, birthday celebrations also teach little ones about gratitude and appreciation. Children learn to appreciate the effort and love spent in planning and organizing their birthday party. They also know how to say “thank you” to people who gave gifts and their time to celebrate with them.
- Lastly, birthdays can teach children about time and how it passes. As they grow, they begin to understand that birthdays mark the passing of time and that they are getting older. This can teach them to appreciate the present and look forward to the future with anticipation and excitement.
A look at the little ones’ birthday party at Chabad ELC
At Chabad ELC, we have a unique way of celebrating each child’s birthday. Here are the five ways we do it:
1. Paper Crown Hide-and-Seek
The first activity on the Birthday Schedule is hiding the paper crown. Teachers hide the crown and as the birthday child searches for his crown, his classmates cheer him on. This activity not only adds to the excitement and joy of the day but also helps to create a sense of belonging among the children.
During this time, he can also meet and welcome special guests like Mom and Dad and usher them into the classroom where the celebration happens. He can introduce his parents to his classmates and teachers, too.
2. The Tzedakah Box
Once the crown is found, we sing the “Happy Birthday” song together. Then we take the opportunity to teach children about their cultural and religious traditions using a Tzedakah box.
A Tzedakah box is a traditional Jewish charity container that collects coins or bills for those in need. It is often placed in homes and synagogues. The act of depositing money into the box is considered a form of performing the mitzvah or a good deed. The Tzedakah box will be later given to Chabad’s office to be donated.
What better value to learn on a child’s birthday than the act of giving? With this practice, children learn to be thankful for what they have. It also instills in them a sense of compassion and empathy.
3. Birthday Chair Ride
Next, it’s time for every child’s favorite activity– riding the birthday chair.
Teachers and other children will raise the chair several times based on the birthday child’s age. As the chair is raised, the other children will cheer and celebrate with the birthday child, creating a genuinely joyous and festive atmosphere.
Don’t worry about the child falling from the chair. Teachers support the chair while little ones “raise” it with their hands.
Riding the birthday chair symbolizes honor and joy for the person celebrating their birthday. This particular moment helps the child to feel extra special and celebrated. Culturally, this activity traces back to when Jewish people celebrate joyous occasions like victories and weddings.
4. Siman Tov u’Mazel Tov Song
As the celebration continues, Morahs and other children will dance around the birthday child while singing “Siman Tov u’Mazel Tov.” This is a fun and festive way to continue the celebration. The singing and dancing also help to create a joyful and uplifting atmosphere that everyone can enjoy.
In Hebrew, “Siman Tov u’Mazel Tov” means “good sign and good luck.” More often, this song is sung on a number of joyous occasions, not only on birthdays. And at Chabad ELC, the song typically involves a chorus of children singing the phrase, interspersed with verses of good wishes for the birthday child.
5. The Blessing
The final activity on the Birthday Schedule is the most heartwarming one. It’s a special moment that is sure to bring a smile to your face and leave a lasting impression on the birthday child.
Each child stands before the birthday child and blesses him with their good wishes and dreams. Imagine hearing the blessings the children will give their friend. Won’t that brighten up your day and make you shed a happy tear?
The rabbi also comes in and blesses not just the birthday child but also the room. He will also share nuggets of wisdom.
Birthdays are best when celebrated with friends and family.
Birthdays are a time when we acknowledge that this is the day Hashem decided that the world needs ME. At Chabad ELC, we believe that birthdays are a special time and should be celebrated in a unique and meaningful way.
Cupcakes and gifts are not the main focus of the celebration, but rather the occasion itself is the focus. We want children to look at their birthdays differently and deeply. Of course, everyone in the room receives a cupcake to eat at the feast. The birthday child also receives a handmade book that’ll remind him of this special day long after it is over.
Our birthday schedule is a fun and educational way for children to learn the value of charity, community, and celebration. The activities on the schedule are designed to create a sense of community among the children while also instilling essential values that will stay with them throughout their lives.
We are proud to offer this unique and meaningful experience to the children in our care. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.
To learn more about the best practices we do at Chabad ELC, you can download our brochure using this link: https://chabadelc.com/squeeze-page/
Happy learning!
