Birthdays can be celebrated in a Montessori environment and how it is done depends on the age of the child and the experience of the teacher and desires of the parents.  Most classes have created a celebration routine.  In any celebration efforts should be made to reduce the amount of sugar in the food offered, e.g., choosing fresh fruit over cake or cookies.  

Some teachers in a 3–6 environment have a ritual of using a timeline of the child’s life.  Some teachers have the children sing to the child.  Some teachers make a birthday crown for the child.

Elementary/Primary children can choose, create their own celebration ritual.

We must be very sensitive to the needs of the child versus the desires of the parents/adults.  Some more fragile personalities do not like all the attention that a birthday brings.  This needs to be honoured by keeping any recognition of the day very low-key.

For children whose birthday falls in holiday periods, a special celebration can be made for all the children whose birthdays fall in those times.