Understanding Childhood...in Germany

I've been a student since January, learning about Early Childhood Education/Development. I'm not used to semesters, but I've gotten used to the length and the sometimes monotony of 17 week classes instead of a sheer 10. An undergrad student last Spring and a post grad and flux of other things for this one. I enjoy my schedule. I'm lucky that it's fairly flexible, and it ends up being a bit different every day which is also a rare luxury. I'm trying to appreciate all that I have now, the benefits even if they are not the monetary kind, for now.

My classes are now begging the question of what I have to take from the knowledge I've inherited these past 4 months. It isn't easy, but I think it's worth it. I will try to sum it up for you here.

I've learned about toddlers and their needs, and why they love the word no. The importance of developmentally appropriate practices and what they look like, as well as the quality of a center as well as the teachers and educators. I very much learned about the great impact of media and commercialization and socialization on children and how this impacts them, their thinking, behavior, future and everything else that surrounds them. Speaking of surroundings, Bronfenberner has a theory that various things affect and influence a child such as family, their environment, their friends, their school and teachers, their religious activities, sports and so on. Oh, and there are also other theorists such as Piaget, Erikson. And Frobel created Kindergarten, which is a German word and was started in Germany. Interesting, right? Many things influence the molding, shaping and learning of a child. I've also learned that the ECD field is very important, and interesting, fun, rewarding and becoming more respected as well as diverse in our society.

Whew. That was a lot. And that was just a (very) brief summary.

Some other things that have related to this specific and interesting field of study is a book I'm reading. Achtung Baby is a fluid read. I've only just started and it's hard to put down. The author is a Mom and has moved to Berlin, Germany with her husband and talkative 2 yr old daughter for her husband's schooling and job status. Sara (the author) learns all about the culture differences of German culture and how American she really is! Deutsch parenting styles are very independent and free roaming other than the well known 'helicopter parenting' where the parent literally hovers over their child watching their every move on a constant basis. Germans are not like that, and it's a very think for yourself and be responsible type of culture when handling the art, if you will of raising children.

Sara's daughter goes to a German preschool, known as a kita. It's a free roaming type program where play is the main and most important aspect. Sara has qualms about the kita but becomes calmed and soothed learning about the pros of a play based program instead of a solely academic one in America. Her daughter even becomes fluent in German! Herrlich!

Another topic pertaining to ECD is one that is personal. I will be seeing my sweet 4 year old nephew's school, and I know that he is excited and proud to show it off.  I am also excited to see it and get a tour. It will be cool for him to share this with me but also for me to learn more about it and add to what I've learned throughout this semester so far.