School enrollment: Registration and school choice

In Germany, the compulsory schooling is regulated by law, so that every child must attend a primary school on a specified cut-off date. To ensure everything runs smoothly, you should register your children already in the year before the desired register them at the school for the enrollment date. Registration usually takes place on site at an agreed appointment. It's best to take your future schoolchildren with you so they can get to know the school themselves. In most cases you will be assigned a local primary school; however, in some federal states or in special exceptions there is the possibility to freely choose the school.

The school entry examination

At the age of five to seven, children generally have the motor and cognitive skills, which are important for attending school.

As part of the school entry examination school doctors check how well dexterity and coordination, balance as well as the language skills of your children are developed. Height, strength, stamina and weight are also tested according to age and physical conditions. The scope of the examination, as well as the school starting age, varies from one federal state to another.

It is important to emphasize at this point that the school medical examination is not intended to embarrass the children in any way. Rather, it is about determining the school readiness and thereby adapting individual actions to the well-being of your children. There are children who are considered school-ready by age, but for whom later school enrollment is advisable in order to encourage further developmental steps. Because the natural growth of your children always takes top priority at school.

How can I prepare my child for starting school & school life?

You can actively prepare your children for school time, by promoting the physical development of your little ones and thus testing and refining various skills. It is important to promote both the gross motor skills as well as the to specifically promote fine motor skills. Gross motor exercises like balancing, climbing or ball games strengthen body awareness and coordination. Fine motor skills, which are trained for example when painting, cutting or crafting, are particularly important for everyday school life – for instance when learning to write.

In addition, you can engage with early learning books beschäftigten, euren Kindern die time oder bei Interesse sogar das ABC teach them. Suitable educational and developmental games for preschoolers can be found in our shop. They make great gifts and motivate your children to play and practice. This already gives them some initial security and lets them start school more relaxed.

School satchels, pens & Co.: School supplies for 1st grade

School supplies in bright colors make children's eyes widen and their hearts beat faster. Finally they can choose their first notebooks, pencil cases, pens & co. to pick out and hold in their hands. We have put together a practical overview for the first school equipment compiled:

• Pencil case

• Pens & colors

• Acrylic & watercolors

• Craft scissors

• Binders & folders

• Learning aids & organization

• School satchel or backpack

• Gym bag

• Lunch box & water bottle

School satchel or school backpack?

A school satchel is usually sturdy, rigidly shaped and specifically designed for primary school children. It offers a good overview inside and protects the contents thanks to its rigid structure. A school backpack, on the other hand, is more flexible, lighter and often more ergonomic – it is often used from secondary school onwards and looks more modern in design.

What to pay attention to when choosing:

• Ergonomic fit: Padded, adjustable straps & chest/hip strap for back-friendly fit

• Weight: As light as possible (empty under 1.3 kg for primary school children)

• Visibility: Reflectors or bright colors for more safety in road traffic

• Layout: Sufficient compartments for order and easy access

• Water-repellent material to protect against rain

• Stability: Especially important for the school satchel so that notebooks and books are protected

• Size suitable for the child: Not too wide or tall – should sit well against the back

• Durability & workmanship: Robust seams and zippers

The school satchel or school backpack is your children's constant companion during their school time. That's why it's important that you familiarize yourself with the different school satchels familiarize yourselves with the requirements and find out which is best suited for your children and their back health. Also talk to your children about what is important to them to actively involve them in the decision for the perfect school satchel to involve.

Ideal place to learn at home

Learning at home is often not easy for children because they are easily distracted. To ensure thelearning motivation of first graders is present from the start and remains, you should pay attention to a good learning environment. Whether a ergonomically arranged workspace, order on the desk and in the school satchel or motivating learning methods in the magazine we reveal the most important tips and ideas for great learning success.

Everything about starting school and the first day of school

Registration is done, the school materials are ready, and the desk at home is already waiting – now the first day of school can come! The anticipation is great, but right now it's worth one last look to see whether everything is really prepared: Have you thought of appropriate clothing? Is the school cone filled? And what goes into the first packed lunch?

So that you don't forget anything and can enjoy the start of school in a relaxed way, we have created a checklist for you from planning to the day of enrolment:

This is how enrolment takes place

In general, enrolment looks similar in all schools. Schoolchildren, parents and relatives (often only a limited number) are invited to the school at a certain time. In the assembly hall, forum, schoolyard or gymnasium thecelebratory event. The first graders are welcomed, the principal and the class teachers are introduced. Often other classes are also present, which perform small presentations and welcome songs.

When the supporting programme is over, it's time: Your children are called and taken to their class teachers. Then each class to their classroom, where they get to know each other and receive the first information for the coming school days. Your children cope with this step completely on their own. At the end of the first lesson, still class photos are taken and then your first graders will be handed back to you.

Make a school cone

A first day of school without a school cone? Out of the question! School cones have a long tradition and are equally popular with girls and boys. You can buy them with the most different motifs, but homemade ones are still the best. When choosing motifs there are no limits and you can let your creativity run wild. Your children's favorite animals or characters from series and films are particularly suitable.

You also wonder, what you can put in the school cone? We have great tips and small gifts ready for you in the shop!

Clothing for the first day of school

What should girls and boys wear for the first day of school? Basically: clothing for the start of school should be comfortable. Your children should feel comfortable and sufficient freedom of movement have. Because when clothes don't fit, bad moods are often inevitable. What your schoolchildren should wear on the first day is also purely a matter of personal style. While some children dress up for the start of school and put on a fancy dress or shirt, for others it's enough if the clothing is neat but not too flashy.

The first timetable

When do your children learn best, when is the best time for homework and when is there still enough time for great playtime? With a timetable you can plan your time precisely and reconcile all needs. Juggling between school and free time will be much easier for you with this structuring of your everyday routine.

Of course it is important that your children help create the timetable. But don't put pressure on yourselves if your schedule doesn't work out sometimes. That happens and is not a sign of failure, but simply proof that your routine still needs to settle in.

Delicious packed-lunch ideas

Those who study hard also need to fuel up properly. So that your children don't forget to eat or set their packed lunches aside because they don't like them, here are a few great tips and ideas on how you can breakfast, lunch and packed-lunch boxes really liven up. After all, we eat with our eyes.

With our lunchboxes with two compartments you can conjure up a real on-the-go menu. This way you can give your children yogurt, creatively topped sandwiches or a mix of fruit and vegetables to take with them. With us you'll find a selection of tasty recipes and packed-lunch ideas, that will make children's eyes light up and are guaranteed to fill their stomachs.

First day of school celebration with family & friends

When the first day of school and the school's activities are over, you have plenty of time to properly celebrate the start of school. You decide for yourselves in which form you want to celebrate this new stage of life. Whether a small gathering just among you in an intimate circle or a large party in a booked venue for all your loved ones – there are many ways to let the first day of school wind down. In our magazine you'll find tips and inspiration for the first day of school celebration.

Gifts for the first day of school

Of course, the big day of starting school also includes gifts. wrapped in the school cone or as an additional gift on the big day – the gift ideas for the first day of school couldn't be more varied.

Your children will, for example, be delighted by personal gifts from you. Perhaps you have already received from your parents at new milestones beautiful traditional jewelry, which has been passed down from generation to generation? You can continue this tradition. This way your children immediately associate the moment of starting school with special family stories.

Your sweet-toothed kids will surely be happy about all their favorite sweets, which they are also allowed to enjoy in larger quantities on such a special day. It's no wonder that the school cone is also called a 'sugar cone' in some regions!

And what else can you give the children starting school? From small games to useful school helpers – with us you'll find the most popular ideas.

Image credits

Schoolboy at school enrollment with yellow balloon © drubig-photo - stock.adobe.com

Room is decorated with small school cones © feinfarben - stock.adobe.com