Current · Haus der kleinen Forscher · Pressemitteilung 06/16/2020 · BS/HO/jmei

Certification of more than 100 FRÖBEL kindergartens as “Little Scientists House”

On the day of the little researchers 113 FRÖBEL kindergartens and FRÖBEL day-care centres can be proud of their certificate "Little Scientists House". The focus on mathematics, computer science, natural science and technology (STEM) and education for sustainable development (ESD) is firmly anchored in their educational profile.

Foto: Boris Breuer © FRÖBEL e.V.
[Translate to Englisch:] Foto: Boris Breuer © FRÖBEL e.V.

On the day of the little researchers 113 FRÖBEL kindergartens and FRÖBEL day-care centres can be proud of their certificate "Little Scientists House". The focus on mathematics, computer science, natural science and technology (STEM) and education for sustainable development (ESD) is firmly anchored in their educational profile.

"Research-based learning and questioning of phenomena is FRÖBEL's pedagogical approach and is already actively lived in every FRÖBEL kindergarten and FRÖBEL after-school care centre. The natural curiosity of the children is stimulated by the creative opportunities for experimentation provided by the " Little Scientists House" and enriches the time in kindergarten and after-school care in a special way. With the certification as "Little Scientists House", this special quality is now also visible to the public, and the colleagues are proud of the recognition that comes with it. We have been able to use the Corona crisis as an opportunity for further training: Since March, our employees have attended over 1000 online training courses at the "Little Scientists House" foundation," says Stefan Spieker, Managing Director of FRÖBEL Bildung und Erziehung gGmbH.

FRÖBEL has been cooperating closely with the foundation " Little Scientists House" for over ten years. Numerous pedagogical experts benefit from high-quality advanced training courses on the topics of STEM and sustainability in early education. Accordingly, the Day of the Little Scientists, also initiated by the foundation, is actively lived and implemented in FRÖBEL facilities with special activities under the annual motto "From the fountain to the sea - rediscover water!

Due to Corona, however, it is not possible to hold larger events on this day this year. The FRÖBEL kindergartens, who had planned larger joint projects and activities, are affected particularly by this. Werner Pieper, FRÖBEL managing director in North Rhine-Westphalia: "We are very sad not to be able to offer our 'Longest Scientist Table' this year. Last year, more than 30 centres with over 100 stations participated in the project. Our educational staff always collects original ideas for 'their' station months in advance. For us, the event offers the chance to inspire children and their families beyond our centres with our enthusiasm for exploratory learning and scientific topics. 

The event will be postponed until spring 2021 and will then take place for the first time in the middle of the city on the old market square. 

By the end of this year, almost all 180 FRÖBEL institutions in Germany will have completed the certification process and firmly implemented the key areas of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (MINT) and education for sustainable development (ESD) in their educational profile.

[Translate to Englisch:]