How parents can promote their preschool child's development

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Childhood is a time of crucial developmental steps

Childhood is an exciting time when children experience important developmental milestones. In the following categories, you will learn more about child development, school readiness and much more. The content provides you with suggestions to support children in this crucial phase between the ages of three and six as best as possible. Children at this age have a natural curiosity to discover the world around them. Every day, they gather new experiences by expanding their linguistic, motor, social, emotional, and mathematical skills. It's important to understand how these abilities interact and contribute to overall development. Accompany your child with joy and serenity on their journey of discovery. Take some time every day to create conscious moments of closeness and play together. Even brief times of togetherness positively impact children's development.

preschool

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school start

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School readiness

Education goes beyond mere knowledge: it enables children to shape their lives independently and to understand the world around them. Education is a continuous process that encompasses the development of motor, social, emotional and cognitive skills. These skills develop from children's daily learning experiences.

A preschooler cutting out a car from paper.

Skills for starting school

A blond boy stands with a school cone and backpack on his first day of school.

Starting school

Starting school is a big step in a child's life. The end of kindergarten marks the beginning of something new that brings many changes. What makes for a successful start to school that prepares children to approach this new journey with confidence?

A little Asian girl with a school bag, ready for her first day of school.

School supplies

A school bag that fits well with the right accessories ensures a relaxed start to school. With the wide range of options available, it is advisable to look for a light weight and a comfortable carrying experience.

family

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Less stress

Parents who strive for perfection in work, household, and parenting put themselves under pressure. This often leads to stress. Family life with children is not about being perfect. It's about creating special moments and focusing on what really matters, and constantly adapting to the child's development.

first grade

Asian girl on her way to school with a backpack.

The first weeks of school

The first weeks of school bring many changes for both children and parents. Daily routines become more structured, from waking up on time in the morning to going to bed at a set hour in the evening. Even vacation planning now follows the school holiday calendar. It is helpful to support your child closely during this transition to ensure a smooth start to school.

Recognizing numbers up to 10

Confident counting and number ordering are key foundations in early math education. To calculate reliably with numbers up to 20, simply reciting the number sequence is not enough. It’s important for children to develop a mental image of the number sequence by knowing the predecessor and successor of each number. Once this understanding is in place, counting forwards and backwards from any number becomes possible.

Recognizing quantities up to 10

Even in preschool, children count: one, two, three, four, five plates or one, two, three, four, five, six cars. In school, the focus shifts to recognizing structured quantities at a glance instead of counting each item one by one. These exercises encourage children to move away from counting strategies. Because those who see how many there are at a glance don’t need to count.

Promoting number sense

Counting the elements of a set is one way to determine quantity. In addition, it is possible to recognize small quantities at a glance and to perceive larger quantities through structure. Structured quantity images support children in moving away from counting strategies and help them develop a deeper understanding of numbers and quantities.

Decomposing numbers

When children decompose numbers, they recognize that a number consists of different parts and that the total remains the same. This understanding lays the foundation for flexible calculation strategies such as turn around facts, near number strategies, or number complements.

Composing numbers

In addition to decomposing numbers, children also learn that two or more parts form a whole. When they understand that numbers are composed of other numbers, for example six from four and two or from three and three, they are well prepared for learning to calculate.

Addition up to 10

Some children are able to solve simple addition problems even before starting school. They may get the right answer, but they’re not yet thinking in quantities, and they’re just counting on. That quickly leads to mistakes with larger numbers. Through language, images, and practical materials, children develop a stronger understanding of numbers and quantities, helping them learn to calculate in smart ways.

Number friends

In this activity, children explore different ways to break down a given number. For example, six breaks down into five and one, or three and three. Through this, they understand that every number consists of smaller parts. This kind of thinking supports their work with larger numbers. A task like 9 + 7 = 16 is solved by first making ten: 9 + 1 + 6 = 16. To do this, they break the 7 into 1 and 6.

media

Digital media

At a time when televisions, tablets and computers have become constant companions, families are facing enormous challenges. What happens when dinner is no longer accompanied by the stories of the day, but by heads bowed over glowing screens? When children sit alone in their rooms and zap through the various programs?

Big brother showing his little sister something on his smartphone.

Media consumption

In many families, children come into contact with screen media at an early age. When parents or older siblings regularly use smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions, it also sparks the interest of the youngest. But how much screen time is appropriate at this age?

Young woman is sitting on a couch at home and looking at her smartphone.

Digital minimalism

Who doesn’t know this? A quick glance at the phone to stay up to date. But over time, this turns into an automatism that unconsciously controls our behavior. Breaking free from it seems almost impossible. Only when we consciously question our media consumption can we truly change something.

order

White shelving with colored wooden toys and colorful storage baskets and boxes.

Play area organization

Sound familiar? Toys are scattered everywhere, but nothing has a proper place. In everyday family life, a lot of toys pile up over time: building blocks, books, stuffed animals, cars, and craft supplies. Find out how to store toys neatly, keep things organized, and reduce what’s no longer needed for a calmer family life.

money

A woman keeps a household budget book to gain a better overview of her finances.

Budget planner

A household budget book gives you a clear overview of your income and expenses. You see how much money is available to you each month and how you allocate it. By recording your finances regularly, you identify ways to reduce your spending. Even small amounts ease your budget in the long run.

Red shopping basket with products in the supermarket.

Smart shopping

Many families today face the challenge of getting through everyday life with limited financial resources. Sometimes, small changes are enough to reduce daily expenses and stay focused on what truly matters.

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