Question

Isabella is excited about her upcoming fourth birthday. She has begged her mother to buy a “ big birthday cake” that she can take to school on Thursday and share it with her preschool classmates during the afternoon snack. Isabella also wants her mother to buy party hats, noisemakers, birthday napkins, and small trinkets for the children to take home “ just like the other kids brought.”

Isabella is the third child in her classroom who will celebrate a birthday this week. Her teachers know how important these occasions are for the children but have concerns about the amount of unhealthy, sugary food that is involved and the added expense for families. The teachers also understand that parents don’t want to disappoint their children and may feel pressured to provide a special cake and all of the ancillaries (e.g., hats, noisemakers, trinkets) that others have brought.
1. What healthy alternative foods could parents be encouraged to bring in place of birthday cake?
2. Is it the cake or attention that makes a birthday celebration special from a child’s perspective?
3. Suggest and describe at least four alternative ways ( that don’t involve food) children’s birthdays that could be celebrated at school.
4. What policy could be put into place to avoid the issue of “ too many” parties?

Answer 1

1. Instead of cake, parents could be encouraged to bring something sweet but less unhealthy, like popsicles, or maybe a pancake breakfast to celebrate. This way, kids are coming in ready to eat and not consuming too many extra calories.

2. Arguably, I believe it’s the attention a child values more than the cake, especially in primary school. To have the whole class sing happy birthday to you then is something special.

3. Other alternatives to cake are: a piñata filled with little prizes, movie parties, tie dying shirts, or a game day!

4. All birthdays for the month could be compiled into one special day.

Answer 2

1. The parents could try a healthy carrot cake

2. Well it depends how old the child is. If he or she is 4 or under than yes but above that age its the friends and the activities that they do.

3. Fun party games where everybody is included, Or If the child has a device then let the child have some electronic time or if he or she wants to just relax then let them relax.

4. there aren't any policies just make sure there are only parties when celebrating something.