Starting school: 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 at the school for the enrollment date. Registration usually takes place on-site at an agreed appointment. It's best to bring your future schoolchildren along so they can get to know the school themselves. In most cases, a local primary school will be assigned to you; however, in some federal states or in special exceptions there is the possibility to freely choose the school.

The school entry examination

Between the ages of five and seven, children generally have the motor and cognitive skills, which are important for attending school.

As part of the school entry examination school physicians check how well dexterity and coordination, balance, and 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, like the enrollment age, varies from different from state to state.

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 assessing school readiness and thereby adapt individual actions to the welfare of your children. There are children who are considered school-ready by age, but for whom later enrollment is recommended to encourage further developmental steps. Because the natural growth of your children always comes first at school.

How can I prepare my child for starting school & the school years?

You can actively prepare your children for the school years, 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 specifically promote fine motor skillsIn addition, you can engage with

early learning books, teach your children the time or, if interested, even the ABC teach them. Suitable /w/gifts-for-starting-school/prepare-preschoolers can be found in our shop. They are great as a gift and motivate your children to play and practicemotivieren eure Kinder zum Spielen und Üben. Das gibt ihnen bereits erste Sicherheiten und lässt sie entspannter in die Schulzeit starten.

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 them in their hands. We've put together for you a practical overview for the first school kit compiled:

• Pencil case

• Pens & colors

• Acrylic & watercolor paints

• Craft scissors

• Binders & folders

• Learning aids & organization

• School satchel or backpack

• Gym bag

• Lunchbox & water bottle

School satchel or school backpack?

A school satchel is usually sturdy, rigidly shaped and designed specifically 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 look for when choosing:

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

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

• Visibility: Reflective elements or bright colors for increased safety in traffic

• Layout: Sufficient compartments for organization 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 appropriate to 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 years. Therefore it is important that you familiarize yourselves with the different school satchels become familiar. Get to know the requirements and find out which one is best suited for your children and their back health. Also talk to your children about what matters to them, to actively involve them in the decision for the perfect school satchel to include them.

Ideal learning environment at home

Learning at home is often not easy for children because they like to get distracted. To ensure that the learning motivation of first graders is there from the start and remains,ergonomically arranged workspace, tidiness on the desk and in the school satchel or motivating learning methods we reveal to you in the magazine 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 comes! The anticipation is great, but now it's worth taking one last look to see if everything is really prepared: Have you thought about the right clothes? 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 relaxed, we have created for you a checklist from planning to the day of enrollment:

How enrollment works

As a rule, enrollment looks similar in all schools like that. Children, 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 theceremony. The first graders are welcomed, the headteacher and the class teachers are introduced. Often other classes are also present, giving small performances and welcome songs.

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

Making a school cone

A first day of school without a school cone? Not an option! School cones have a long tradition and are equally popular with girls and boys. You can buy them with the most diverse motifs, but homemade ones are still the best received. When choosing motifs there are no limits and you can let your creativity run free. The favorite animals of your children or characters from series and films are particularly suitable.

You are also wondering, what you can put into 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 start of school? Basically: clothing for the first day of school should be comfortable. Your children should feel comfortable and have sufficient freedom of movement. Because if the clothes don't fit, a bad mood is often inevitable. What your schoolchildren should wear on their first day is also a matter of personal style. While some children dress up for the start of school and put on a smart dress or shirt, others are fine with clothing that 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 schedule you can plan your time precisely and reconcile everyone's needs. Juggling between school and free time will be much easier for you with this structuring of your daily routine.

Of course it's 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.

Tasty packed lunch ideas

Those who study hard also need to refuel. So that your children don't forget to eat or put their packed lunches aside because they don't like them, here are some great tips and ideas on how you can jazz up breakfast, lunch and packed-lunch boxes. 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 send your youngsters yogurt, creatively topped sandwiches or a mix of fruit and vegetables. With us you'll find a selection of delicious recipes and packed-lunch ideas, that will make children's eyes light up and are guaranteed to fill their tummies.

First-day-of-school celebration with family & friends

When the first day of school and the accompanying program at school are over, you have plenty of time to properly celebrate the first day of school. You decide how you want to celebrate this new stage of life. Whether a small celebration just among yourselves in an intimate circle or a big party in a rented venue for all your loved ones – there are many ways to let the first day of school wind down. In our magazine you will 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. Whether packed into the school cone or as an additional gift on the big day – the Gift ideas for starting school couldn't be more varied.

Your children, for example, will be delighted with personal gifts from you. Maybe you have already received from your parents at new stages of life traditionally beautiful jewelry, which was passed down from generation to generation? You can continue this tradition. This way your children will immediately connect the moment of starting school with special family stories.

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

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

Image credits

Schoolboy on the first day of school with a yellow balloon © drubig-photo - stock.adobe.com

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