A safe framework to discover the world

Bartosz, you're an educator by conviction. How do children benefit from visiting a day care centre?

You benefit in every respect. In the KiTa, children learn the laws of various educational areas such as mathematics, physics, language, health and so on in a playful way. They also have the opportunity to experience democratic participation and thus strengthen their self-image. Some children even have the only opportunity here to eat something warm during the day. These are just a few examples that can be continued almost endlessly. Every child benefits in its own way from the KiTa. It is a space in which a framework is created that is tailored to children.

Due to regulations around Corona, the regular day-care centre operation did not take place in the last months. For which children is such a compulsory break particularly important?

For everyone, if you ask me. The daily visits to the KiTa mean structure. This is important for children to find their way in everyday life. The daily rituals, such as the morning circle or a table saying, are also enormously important. In retrospect, it can be observed that all children missed these rituals among other things, but that they quickly find their way back in.

"Daily visits to the day care centre mean structure. It's important for children to find their way in everyday life."

However, it is actually particularly difficult for the children, who cannot be provided with a warm meal without a day care centre. Or the children whose parents do not have the necessary resources to go outside with their children, who cannot read them a story. This can have many causes and is not always due to their own fault. Physical or mental illness, addiction or simply excessive demands can be reasons why a child cannot claim his or her rights. We try to catch this in the KiTa.

Children should feel safe and secure in the KiTa. At the same time, health safety must be guaranteed for all. What other possibilities besides physical contact do you use to give children a sense of security?

I use facial expressions, gestures and of course my voice. That is why it has been unthinkable to work with a mouthguard. Children - especially those who are not yet speaking or who are growing up bilingual - use facial expressions, the pitch of their voice and the appearance of an adult to assess the situation in which they find themselves. A smile on the face of an educator shows that everything is fine. After all, children know us educators and know that they can rely on us. This is a good basis for the children's stability.

During the summer closing time or in the event of a possible second wave, many families will again have to provide childcare and gainful employment in parallel. Do you have easily implementable ideas for a relaxed day with your child?

Structure and rituals are very important for children. Singing a song in the morning, resting after lunch, daily walks: these are all things that children enjoy and in which an important alternation between tension and relaxation is created.

"I think that we can part with the idea that only offers for children that are specially designed for children are eligible."

I think that we can part with the idea that only offers for children that are specially designed for children are eligible. Walks in the forest, along the waterfront or simply along the road already offer many possibilities to "keep a child busy". More balance in the child would be a result of this approach, which in the long run can also mean a more relaxed relationship. Even if playgrounds are closed and zoos and daycare centres are closed, this approach can give a child the input it needs. A simple visit to a construction site is enough to inspire it. If you then accompany the child linguistically and explain what is going on on such a construction site, then you will also promote the child's linguistic skills.

Children process things and like to pick them up linguistically. An exchange of ideas during the day in the evening offers just this possibility of processing: What did you particularly like about the construction site? The child can discover its interests for itself. It is important to pick up the children's interests so that they do not slip into a permanent underchallenge.

Published on 03.07.2020