Kaitlan turns 5! School Celebration

Kaitlan turned 5 on December 2. At her Kindergarten, it is the tradition for the teacher and other students to come to the home of the birthday kid and bring them to school in this cool wagon wearing this special outfit.  Kaitlan loved it!  It really made her feel special.  Once at school, Kaitlan got to be the leader during the circle time activities.  She got to choose which songs they sang, and which kids got to play the special magic chocolate square game.  She choose herself twice, hoping for more chocolate!  Also, each child took a turn putting a polkadot on a paper four leaf clover then would shake her hand and wish her a special gift for her birthday.  She was wished unicorns, stars, and chocolate among other things!  You can see from these pictures that all Kindergarteners are required to wear these reflectors when walking to or from school.  Here in Switzerland the kids go to 2 years of Kindergarten starting at age 4 (turning 5).  During this time they are learning social skills and working together and singing songs and talking about different subjects but they don't begin learning anything like their alphabet until first grade, where they are pushed very hard to learn to read by midterm.  I don't think it's the best system but enjoy what if offers Kaitlan and I have been teaching her her alphabet, phonics, and numbers at home in both German and English.