Have parents lost confidence in their parenting abilities?

Do parents give in to the general pressure to prepare their child as well as possible for life? Or is it the steadily growing range of developmental and educational offerings that suggests the need for early, comprehensive support?

Childhood is not a training camp for adult life. Of course, children who are passionate about something should be encouraged and supported by their parents. But despite all fears about the future, childhood should remain what it has always been: time to play and time to learn and discover at one's own pace.

Courage to trust your gut — and the courage to simply let them do it

Do parents have to feel guilty if they haven't yet enrolled their child in a music class in elementary school? If the child would rather play, lost in their own world, in their room for hours than go to gymnastics or vaulting? If they lie on the carpet with their best friend telling stories, instead of doing something 'sensible'?

Without classes, without performance pressure — the best support for children

Support is a hot topic. Parents today know that the first years of their child's life play a decisive role in their later development — and it scares them. Fear, because they see themselves as responsible for providing early, comprehensive support so that their child can fully realize their potential. Many forget that early childhood education, which is given such importance today, has always taken place effectively within the family and circle of friends — through time spent together and, above all, through free play.

Play without a purpose:

In a time when even playgroups are judged by their learning effect for the children, one thing is completely lost: the importance of free, unorganized play for children — without a goal, without guidance, and entirely without time limits or boundaries.

Time:

Primary school children have appointments every afternoon during the week: sports, piano, tutoring, playdates. On the weekend parents organize an entertainment program with outings and events to make the most of the little time they have together. With so much leisure-time stress, children have no time to be by themselves — and to simply do nothing at all.

Boredom:

Shouldn't children always be kept busy so that they can use and enjoy their free time? Children who are bored become creative: building forts, inventing stories, crafting and painting — boredom can, at times, be the best stimulus for imagination and initiative.

Let children just be children!

Let Children Simply Be Children is a campaign we at HABA launched. It is a statement against the obsession with constant advancement and for more freedom for children – and at the same time the essence of what HABA has stood for for many years: We want not only to support children, but also to strengthen parents in their role and to take away their self-doubt about whether they are doing everything right.

Parents today are under more pressure than ever to optimally promote their child, to raise them "correctly" and to try not to lose themselves in the process. We want to tell all parents: relax a little. Less is more. Play is the most natural form of development for children. And: let your children simply be children a little more.

Individual – with support that matches your child's interests and talents

Loving – without obligation, but with lots of love and attention

Age-appropriate – at your child's own pace

No pressure to perform – and without comparing them to others

Without time pressure – but with plenty of patience

With freedom – sometimes being allowed to not feel like it

With understanding –for doubts and setbacks

Courageous – with the confidence to simply let your child do their thing

With lots of fun – and genuine interest