School enrollment party ideas: How to make the start of school unforgettable
Photo by Sven Klitsch on Pixabay
Invitation to the school enrollment ceremony
Plan early and organize together
When and who to invite?
Invite your guests 4 to 6 weeks in advance, especially if they have a longer journey or the party is taking place directly after the official school enrollment.
It's entirely up to you who you want to invite to the school enrolment party. Here are a few suggestions for your guest list:
- Grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins
- Close friends of the family
- Neighbors with children
- Kindergarten friends or future classmates
Extra tip: Involve children in the planning
Get your schoolchild actively involved in the planning: making invitation cards is especially fun, of course! But also choosing favorite colors for the decorations or picking out the school cake - getting involved boosts self-confidence and makes the day even more special.
Creative ideas for school enrolment invitation cards:
- Invitation cards with school cone iron-on beads motif
- Colored pencil invitation cards
- School cone invitation card (video tutorial)
What should we write in the invitation to the school enrolment party?
In addition to the most important key data such as the date of the school enrolment, the time and the place, you can also consider including other program items, e.g. when the elementary school performance for the first graders starts or when there will be cake and lunch.
Classic text for the school enrollment ceremony:
Dear ...,
on ... I will finally be starting school! I would like to cordially invite you.
At ... o'clock in the elementary school ... . Afterwards it continues at ...!
I'm already looking forward to seeing you. Please let my parents know by ... if you are coming.Your ...
The school enrollment ceremony
How to make the school enrolment party a celebration
Design ideas for an unforgettable day
Sit down with your child and think together about how the school enrolment party should look and run. Here are some ideas for you:
The right place
A school enrolment party can be held in many different places: at home in the sunny garden, under the trees in the park, at your favorite playground, on the farm, in a child-friendly café or restaurant. The important thing is that your child feels comfortable and that there is enough space to play and explore.
Atmospheric decoration
With a colorful garland of letters, small plaques with the child's name or colorful school cones as table decorations, a festive atmosphere is created in no time at all. Bunting with the word "Einschulung" (school enrolment) sewn on as initials also looks particularly beautiful. Honeycomb balls, helium balloons and summery bouquets of flowers round off the overall look.
Rituals that will be remembered
A wishing tree on which all guests can hang their good wishes for the schoolchild or a jointly designed time capsule with small memories, drawings or photos is a wonderful idea. A joint song prepared by the family especially for the schoolchild will also bring a lot of joy to the soon-to-be first grader.
Snacks
Small, child-friendly snacks such as fruit skewers, muffins and cupcakes with letters or a colorful first day cake will take care of the physical well-being. If you like, you can decorate the cake with the child's name or pick up on the colors of the school bag.
Here are three simple DIY school enrollment snacks:
Games for the school enrolment party
Children love exercise and adventure - how about an ABC scavenger hunt or a school bag course in the garden? A little back-to-school quiz with questions about letters, numbers and first arithmetic problems is also fun.
The photo corner as a highlight
A lovingly designed photo spot with a blackboard, year, school bag and fun props will create lasting memories. Here, your child can take photos of themselves with friends and family - ideal for a souvenir album or first day at school diary.
Five sweet books for starting school:
- From today I'm a schoolchild! My souvenir album for starting school *
- From today I'm a schoolchild! (Unicorn motif): My memory album for starting school *
- First grade: Memories of my 1st day at school (small gifts for starting school & for the school bag) *
- Häfft® Endlich Schulkind A5 memory album for starting school *
- mintkind® "My first school year" memory album for the start of school *
Gift ideas for first graders
Useful & useful
- Lunch box (e.g. schmatzfatz Junior * or LEKKABOX)
- First reading books (e.g. Der kleine Drache Kokosnuss kommt in die Schule *)
- Reflector tags *
- Personalized drinking bottles
- Headphones suitable for children
Sustainable thinking
- Stainless steel lunch box
- Wooden crayons
- Organic snacks (available in every drugstore)
- Zero-waste snack boxes
Emotional & creative
- Encouragement books such as courage marbles for the first day of school * or love: overcoming fear & mastering unfamiliar situations *
- Friends book *
- Memory box
- Homemade photo book for the school bag
The school cone
Origin of the tradition
The tradition of the school cone dates back to the 19th century. In Saxony and Thuringia, it was said that a "sugar cone tree" grew in the cellar of the elementary school, where the children's school cones ripened and when the cone was big enough, the child was allowed to go to school. This idea then developed into the lovingly cultivated custom.
Is a school cone important?
Yes, for children it is a symbol of a new beginning and the undisputed highlight of the day - it conveys pride, courage and helps to turn uncertainty into anticipation.
Types of school cones
- Classically made with crepe paper and cardboard
- Personalized models with name & desired motif (e.g. on Etsy)
- Themed bags: Matching the theme or school bag unicorn, dinosaur, space, soccer, ballet
- Sewn or crocheted bags that live on as cushions
- 3D school bags with light effects or fold-out elements
- DIY kits for crafting together
Photo by MINTiKi on Pixabay
Ideas for filling school cones
Sweets & snacks
Letter cookies, fruit bars, muesli bars, spelt or wholemeal cookies, pretzel sticks, chewing gum
Classics
ABC stamps, reading aids, bookmarks, hair ties / hair clips, special magic or scented pens, stickers, tattoos, bubbles, bouncy balls, erasers, puzzle booklet, flashlight, wallet, key ring incl. front door key, mini hairbrush for on the go, magic cube, fruit skewers
Useful items & encouragement
Encouragement cards / affirmation cards, scent roller with essential oils, fidget toy, crumple figure, mini rain cape, plaster box, arithmetic and letter chain
Photo by Myléne on Pixabay
School preparation for your child
Needs-oriented school preparation: a gentle way to start school
Instead of "preparing" your child for school, it's worth helping them to arrive at their own pace - with security, confidence and curiosity.
Create emotional security
Talk to your child about their thoughts, worries and wishes. Phrases such as "I understand that you're upset" or small encouraging rituals such as a lucky stone in your pocket will help your child and give them a sense of security.
Provide guidance
Did you get information at the parents' evening? Great! Then share it with your soon-to-be primary school child. Tell your child which class they will be in and what the teacher's name is - you may even have the opportunity to get a photo of the teacher. The first timetable, materials list, break times etc. can also help your child to make the transition from nursery to elementary school without any frustration or anxiety.
Making everyday life fun
Doing maths while baking, writing on the shopping list or reading street signs - this will turn your everyday life into learning stimuli. Role-playing games such as "school" also help to process inner images and understand how and where everyday school life takes place.
Promote self-efficacy
A child who experiences that they can do things themselves will start Year 1 stronger. So let your child choose their own clothes, practise (first together, then alone) how to get to school and pack and organize their school bag. All of these opportunities make a big difference and strengthen your child's self-efficacy and ultimately their self-confidence and personal responsibility.
Strengthen social skills
Naming feelings, arguing fairly, asking for help - social skills are central to everyday life at school. Encourage these skills in your child through play, conversation, stories and rituals. Even if it sometimes seems exhausting, it will be worth it and turn your child into an independent person who recognizes their own needs and feelings - and those of others - and can act accordingly.
Accepting speed
Not every child is "ready" for school - and that's okay. Needs-oriented preparation also means: don't compare, don't push, but lovingly accompany, understand and connect.
School enrollment as an eternal memory
Starting school is more than just a date - it marks the beginning of a new chapter in your child's life. With loving support, beautiful details, a thoughtful celebration and a special school bag, this day will become a lasting memory with the message to your child: "You can do it. And we're all here to support you."
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