Bell. Ribbons. Tears. Primary school graduation is a milestone. Former little kids with backpacks behind their backs step out of the fourth grade, and into the fifth as almost teenagers. Behind them is their first teacher, the first "dictation," the first failing grade, and the first love for a desk. Ahead lies a new school, new teachers, and the terrifying word "examination." Organizing a primary school graduation is a quest for parents. How to do it without pain? How to say goodbye to childhood without breaking down? Let's figure it out.

Why is a 4th-grade graduation needed

Transitioning from primary to middle school is a stress for a child. Instead of one teacher, there are ten. Instead of one classroom, there are floors. Instead of familiar classmates, there are new kids from parallel classes. Graduation helps to close the gestalt. Say goodbye to a cozy little world, thank the first teacher, feel grown-up.

For parents, graduation is also an era. Children have grown up. Yesterday, they couldn't tie their shoelaces, and today they pack their backpacks themselves. Graduation is an opportunity to breathe out and say, "We made it." And, of course, to show off to other parents: whose child sings better, dances, reads poems.

For a teacher, graduation is the summary of 4 years of work. It's her professional holiday and a bit of a funeral: after all, in September, she will have new first graders, and these, dear ones, will be gone.

When to hold it: date and time

Traditionally, primary school graduation is held after the end of the school year, in late May. May 25-30 are the most popular dates. But it can be earlier if the fourth graders are on vacation earlier. It's not allowed to hold it during exams for older grades — the school may not provide the auditorium.

Time: usually from 10 am to 1 pm, or from 5 to 7 pm. In the morning — the solemn part, the distribution of diplomas, tea. In the evening — more festive, with a disco. But keep in mind: children get tired after a school day in the evening. Ideally — in the morning with a trip to nature or an entertaining program.

Don't hold the graduation on the last school day — children are already on vacation morally, the teacher is tired. It's better 2-3 days after the end, so everyone can rest.

Who organizes it: the parent committee

The entire graduation falls on the parents. The school provides the hall and, possibly, the equipment. The rest — the script, gifts, food, animators, photographer — at their own expense.

Create an initiative group of 3-5 active parents. Assign roles: one looks for animators, the second for a photographer, the third prints diplomas, the fourth buys sweets, the fifth keeps the budget. Don't take everything on one person — you'll burn out.

Collect money in advance, a month ahead. The amount depends on the scale: a modest option (only tea and gifts) — 1000-1500 rubles per child. Medium (animator, photographer, a sweet table) — 3000-5000 rubles. Expensive (a trip to the park, a limousine, a bubble show) — 10,000 and above. Discuss with parents so that no one feels uncomfortable.

Important: not all families can chip in. Don't pressure those who refuse. Offer installment payments, accept help in the form of food instead of money. Don't kick a child out of the party for 500 rubles.

Location: school or cafe

Pros of the school: free, familiar, no need to go anywhere, you can invite the whole school. Cons: you need to decorate, the equipment may fail, you can't prepare food (only tea and pastries).

Pros of a cafe or loft: professional organization, animators, dance floor, food. Cons: expensive, you need to rent transportation if the cafe is far, parents don't see the process, there may be strangers.

The optimal option: the solemn part in the school (15-20 minutes) with the distribution of diplomas and poems, and then a trip to a cafe or a park. Or completely in the school, but with invited animators.

Popular places: children's cafes with a playroom, pizzerias with a separate hall, a park with a pavilion (if it's warm), even a quest room adapted for children. The main thing is safety and no alcohol (for anyone!).

Script: what should be at the graduation

Typical structure: welcome (the host is a parent, animator, or teacher). A humorous roll call ("Who is the birthday person today?"). Congratulations from the first teacher (touch everyone). Poems from children. Songs and dances (learn in advance, 2-3 numbers). Games and competitions (20-30 minutes). Distribution of diplomas for completing primary school (personally to each, with fanfares). Gifts to the teacher and children. Tea. Disco (15-20 minutes).

Don't make a long official part. Children won't sit for more than an hour. Better to alternate active games and passive moments.

Contest ideas: "Crocodile" on the topic of school, "Collect a backpack" for speed, "Guess the melody" from children's songs, "Rose" with tasks (recite a poem, draw an animal).

A modern trend is a video presentation "How we were little." Collect photos of children from the first to the fourth grade. With calm music — tears for everyone.

Gifts for children: what to give

The best thing is books. But not just " fairy tales," but something for growth: encyclopedias, adventure novels, comics. You can personalized: a book with each child's name and a wish from the class.

Practical gifts: board games (Monopoly, Jenga, Uno), flash drives with a video recording of the graduation, glowing alarm clocks, power banks with engraving "Graduate 4th grade."

Symbols: medals "Graduate of primary school," bells for luck, school notebooks for the 5th grade with teacher's autographs.

Don't give: toys that are not age-appropriate (teddy bears for 10-year-old boys), plastic trinkets, wrapped candies (they will eat them quickly and forget).

Important: gifts should be the same for everyone. Or almost the same (different colors, but one value). Otherwise, there will be envy and tears.

Gifts for the teacher: from the heart

The first teacher is a key figure. She is thanked by all parents. Money? Often uncomfortable, but many give envelopes. Formally, it's not prohibited, but it's better to write in the thank-you letter "for flowers" or "for a book."

Standard: a gift certificate to a cosmetics or household appliances store, a bouquet of flowers (not roses, but wildflowers or chrysanthemums), a box of chocolates, a notebook with wishes from the children.

Original: a joint trip to the theater or a concert (paid by the class), an engraved mug with a photo of the class, a comic about "The Class Teacher-Superhero," made by the parents' hands.

The main thing is warm words. Write a thank-you letter, print it on a beautiful sheet, let each child sign it. It will be a memory.

Tears at the graduation: normal or not

Normal. Both children, parents, and teachers cry. From joy, from sadness, from understanding that time flies. Don't be ashamed. Don't tell children "don't whine." Say: "It's normal, I'm also crying, it's from love."

If a child cries uncontrollably and can't calm down, take him to the corridor, give him water, hug him. Don't make him continue participating in competitions.

The teacher also has the right to cry. Go up to her, pat her on the shoulder, say "Thank you for our children." Don't hug if she's closed off.

Give the photographer the command to take photos of crying people — these are the most vivid frames.

How to dress the child for the graduation

Girls: a dress not too fluffy (so as not to hinder playing), comfortable flats without a heel (or a small stable one), hair tied up (not loose on the face), a minimum of jewelry. White ribbons are the classic, but you can also use colored ones.

Boys: classic pants, a shirt (not white if you don't want to get dirty), a jacket is not required, you can wear a waistcoat. A bow tie is more fun than a regular one. Shoes — not sneakers, but loafers or nice sneakers.

Prohibited: superhero costumes, too revealing dresses, dirty sneakers, makeup for girls (you can lip gloss, but not shadows). Graduation is a holiday, but not a costume party. Keep the form so that it's not a shame if the child gets dirty with cake.

Alcohol at the graduation: taboo

Alcohol often appears at primary school parent graduations. Don't do it. Children see. They copy. This is not a New Year's corporate party. If you want to drink, gather separately in the evening, without children, in another place.

Alcohol on the table in front of children provokes questions "What is this? Can I have some?". Some parents pour champagne for themselves and the teacher, and then they dance drunk. It looks terrible. Don't risk your reputation.

Non-alcoholic alternatives: lemonade, kvass, juice, tea, coffee for adults. And that's it.

If the child doesn't go to the graduation

It happens that children refuse. Reasons: shyness, conflict with classmates, fear of performances, poor health. Don't force. Talk to them, find out the reason. Maybe he's afraid he'll forget the poem? Free him from the performance. Afraid of dancing? Let him just sit.

If there is a categorical refusal, don't insist. Graduation is a holiday, not an ordeal. Let the child stay home, and you give him a gift and go to the cinema on another day.

Definitely buy a diploma and a gift from the class — bring them home. He shouldn't feel like an outcast.

Photographer and video: preserve memories

Hire a professional or shoot with parents? A professional is more expensive, but the quality is higher. He has light, background, experience. But children will pose, the liveliness will be lost. A hobbyist parent will capture natural emotions, but there may be shakes.

The optimal option: invite a professional photographer for 1-2 hours for posed photos (portraits of children, photos with the teacher, general). The rest can be shot by parents on phones. Video — it's uncomfortable to shoot on a phone, it's better to rent a camera or trust a talented dad.

After the event, collect all the photos in a cloud album, make it publicly accessible. Print a few of the best and give them to the teacher.

Last bell or graduation: what's the difference

The last bell in primary school is not everywhere. Usually, it's a solemn line on May 25, where the fourth graders stand with ribbons, ring the bell, read poems. And graduation is an informal part. Don't mix them up.

It's better to hold both events: the last bell at school (1-2 hours), and graduation separately — in the class or a cafe. So you'll follow the traditions and have fun.

Conclusion: the main thing in the graduation

The main thing is not the cake and not the animator. The main thing is the atmosphere of love and acceptance. Children should remember that they are important, that the teacher values them, that the parents are proud of them. Don't worry, don't argue with other parents about money or the script. This is a children's holiday. Make it bright.

In 10 years, these children won't remember whether there was a clown or fireworks. They will remember how you hugged them, how the teacher cried, how everyone clapped when they received their first diploma in their life. They will remember the smell of pastries and the sound of laughter. This is the real graduation.
© libmonster.com

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