Adopt a theme for a moving-on ceremony to dictate other ceremony decisions such as decorations and music. Use a "Growth" theme for the ceremony. Cut flowers out of colorful paper to use on bulletin boards and at the ceremony venue. Discuss growth in a speech and hand out seed packets to children as a gift.
Another appropriate idea is a "Moving Truck" theme. Decorate the walls with images of a moving van and use packing material such as cardboard boxes and bubble wrap sheets as decorations. Discuss moving on to a different class and moving up in their education with the students.
It's important to have a tangible item to give to students at a moving-on ceremony. Create diplomas on a graphic arts program and print them on gold-trimmed paper. Give awards to students for accomplishments such as perfect attendance, good citizenship and most improved student. Every child should receive an award.
Other recognition items include small trophies, wood plaques and ribbons. Ribbon stickers (available at party and craft stores) are inexpensive and can be used instead of the actual ribbons.
Engage pre-K students in moving-on-themed activities. Make a time capsule with each child. Have the child draw a self-portrait and write down fast facts about the child such as height, favorite food and best friend's name. Add a little gift that the child can receive when he opens the time capsule in a year. A small gift can include a sticker or a plastic toy. Put all the items into an empty, clean potato chip or coffee container and seal for a year.
Another activity can include having the child make a graduation cap out of black poster board and then having all her classmates sign their names or make a picture on the cap.
There are many ideas for celebrating a moving-on ceremony for a pre-K class. Give a gift to each child as a memento of the occasion. An inexpensive piggy bank is a nice gift. Write "College Fund" on the side of the bank to encourage children to save for their higher education.
Another thoughtful activity is to create a scrapbook for each child. Let the child get involved in creating the scrapbook, or surprise the child and give it as a gift. Add photos of the child in class and school projects, and leave a space to add the child's diploma at the end of the book.