A Montessori Birthday Celebration

Sometimes referred to as a Montessori Birthday Walk, in the classroom, birthdays are celebrated through visual impressions to expose the children to each year that goes by.

While the songs and tune may differ in each classroom all over the world, the birthday song includes a saying like “the earth goes around the sun for one year… two years… etc.” The song is sung as the child carries the globe of the earth, revolving around the months of the year and a candle which represents the sun.

The children may provide a birthday poster that shows pictures of them at each age, newborn, age 1, 2, etc. This visual provides an illustration of growth so the children can see change and development over the course of the multiple years.

At home:

You can re-create the idea of a birthday walk with your child, sharing photos and memories of each year and reflecting on how much your child has grown.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for your child to connect with his/her place in the world, celebratory but is also a practical brain game. It is also a way to foster your child’s understanding of the concept of time and basics of astronomy.

Your child can have the option to blow out the candle or snuff the candle when the birthday walk is complete. When the light goes out, you can begin to sing the traditional Happy Birthday song to commemorate the occasion.

One version of the song:

The earth goes around the sun for one year (child walks a complete circle around and stops at his/her month)

The earth goes around the sun for 2 years (another cycle)

The earth goes around the sun for 3 years (another cycle)

(repeat until you reach the child’s new age)

Around and around and around and around, the earth goes around the sun for ____ years!