Loving learning: A school elf as a little companion for the start of school

Hundreds of thousands of children in Germany begin school every year. These years will shape their entire childhood and often represent a major step into new routines and responsibilities. It's no wonder, then, that new schoolchildren are excited, curious, or even anxious and skeptical. Parents are then called upon to support this transition. However, one little helper can make a big difference: the school elf.

The Scandinavian tradition of elf worship has long since found its way into German living rooms at Christmas time. Now, Tomte and Nisse, as the elves are often called, have something to do in the summer as well. With just as much empathy and a bit of mischief, they prepare new schoolchildren for school and accompany them throughout their time there.

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Just like during the Christmas season, the elf can write letters, set tasks, play pranks, or suggest activities together. This playful approach prepares the children for school.

Even though parents are often just as nervous as their soon-to-be first-graders, it's important to convey as much calm and security to the children as possible. Don't put pressure on them, but rather spark interest. And avoid old sayings like "now the serious business of life begins!" Children should have positive associations with school. And a school elf can be a wonderful help with that.

Consider which skills will make starting school easier for your child. Practicing the route to school with new children should be a mandatory activity for all parents. The school elf could write a letter and tell them how proud they were the first time they walked to elf school alone. Or they could draw a map with traffic lights and landmarks to remind your child of the right route. If the route to school is still unfamiliar, you could even organize a little scavenger hunt.

At the beginning of school, the primary focus is on getting to know the new environment and routes, getting used to the school routine, procedures, and rules, and experiencing social interaction and basic learning and working practices. A school elf can influence all of these things in a playful way. Important: Encourage your child, don't (over)challenge them.

• Find new friends: write in the school elf’s friendship book
• Finding your way in larger groups: learning the names of the school elf’s friends
• Make cards, show how to behave in interactions with each other and let the child identify what is acceptable and what is not.
• Practice orientation: have the elf classroom, school building, or paths to the gym or cafeteria drawn (for example, with a beautiful blue entrance or the big old tree where to turn)
• Learn temporal structures: Simulate break rules - while playing, with the cuddly toys as a school class, the elf sets an alarm clock or something similar
• Practice traffic signs, for example as a memory game or distinguishing between good and bad traffic signs (prohibition signs and mandatory signs)
• Practice pencil handling: the school elf sends a labyrinth puzzle or his favorite animal to be traced (you can make a pendant out of it on shrink wrap)
• Put together the pencil case together and name your favorite color
• Alphabet soup: The elf has mixed up the letters. Can the child help sort them?
• Practice introducing yourself: The elf has a new friend. Introduce yourself to him! What do you tell him?
• Simulate homework: The school elf needs your help and has a task for you.
• Naming emotions to deal with feelings - the elf might have prepared some smileys
• Pack your school bag together
• Old photos found: old school photos of mom, dad or the rest of the family appeared in an envelope

There are so many more things a school elf can teach children. Getting used to a fixed daily routine, speaking in front of a group, practicing patience, letting others finish speaking, or even building self-confidence. Positive affirmations should not be underestimated.

Some caution is advised when learning to write. While writing one's own name can be easily practiced, systematic writing should be avoided, as children may learn different letters or a different pen grip at school.

You probably also had interviews beforehand to assess your child's readiness for school. This involved taking into account their physical, mental, social, and emotional readiness to attend school.

Schools expect their first-year students to have basic skills. According to the state ministries of education and culture, these include basic social skills such as the willingness to compromise and reach consensus, consideration and helpfulness, as well as cooperation and fairness. The school elf can also emphasize these skills to ensure your child has the smoothest possible start to school.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of Baden-Württemberg, the following skills should be present.

• Cognitive abilities
• understand simple connections
• logical thinking
• Maintain concentration for an appropriate, age-appropriate period of time
• basic language skills (formulating simple sentences, understanding instructions)
• Motor skills
• Fine motor skills (holding a pencil, cutting with scissors, drawing simple shapes)
• gross motor skills (moving safely, running, jumping, climbing)
• Social skills
• integrate into a group
• follow simple rules
• Resolve conflicts non-violently
• Show willingness to cooperate with other children and to play and learn together
• Emotional maturity
• Age-appropriate emotional stability (such as enduring frustration and emotional regulation)
• be separated from parents and build trust with teachers
• Independence
• complete simple tasks independently
• Interest in learning new things and taking on tasks yourself

As the first form of school, primary school is crucial for children's further learning development and learning behavior. Therefore, parents and school teachers should strive to instill or maintain the joy of learning and encourage interest in new things. After all, learning is ultimately nothing more than discovering new things.