Going to a birthday party.
Singing, lots of kids, a loud room, and rules about when you get cake. Fun and overwhelming at the same time. A plan helps.
Visual schedule
Birthday Party
- arrive at the party
- give the gift
- play time
- sing happy birthday
- cake
- go home
More ways to prepare for a party
What to expect
Parties pack a lot of unpredictable, loud, exciting things into a short time. Knowing the order, especially when the singing and cake happen, lets your child enjoy it instead of bracing for surprises. It's okay to leave early.
One tip from a dad who's been there
Tell your child it's okay to take a break in a quiet room, and warn them before the 'happy birthday' singing (often the loudest, hardest moment). Arriving a few minutes early beats walking into a full loud room.
