A Birthday Celebration to Remember: Niyati’s Montessori Moment

Today, we celebrated our daughter Niyati’s birthday in a way that was truly unique, thanks to her Montessori school, Head Start. The school is known for its innovative approach, and today was no exception.

The celebration began with a sweet gesture. While we were waiting outside, two of Niyati’s friends came up to us and said, “We invite you to Niyati’s birthday celebration. Follow me.” Their excitement was infectious as they led us to her classroom.

Inside, Niyati and her friends were seated in a circle. At the center of the circle was a candle representing the sun, surrounded by a ring of months symbolizing the year. The teacher invited Niyati to introduce us to her friends, which she did with pride.

Then came the special part – a lesson woven seamlessly into the celebration. The teacher handed Niyati a globe to symbolize the Earth and explained how the Earth moves around the sun, marking a year. She led Niyati to the month of November, saying, “This is the month Niyati was born.”

“What did Niyati do when she was born?” the teacher asked.

“She was drinking milk!” one child shouted.

“She was crying!” another chimed in.

Smiling, the teacher guided Niyati around the candle, completing one ‘year.’ She asked the children what Niyati might have been doing at each age, and they eagerly responded. Walking. Talking. Playing. Each lap around the candle symbolized a year of her life until she turned four.

It was a beautiful and innovative way to teach children about the passage of time, the concept of a year, and the Earth’s movement around the sun – all while celebrating a birthday!

Afterward, it was time for cake cutting. The older students took responsibility for serving the younger ones, and it was heartwarming to see their sense of responsibility. One child even took charge of cleaning up, carefully using a small broom and tray to tidy the area.

Even Niyati’s elder brother, Nihi, who also attends the same school, joined us for the celebration. Watching the two siblings bond during the event was the icing on the cake.

This celebration wasn’t just about celebrating a birthday – it was about learning, responsibility, and community. It was a day we’ll cherish for a long time.