Symposium on the challenges of everyday kindergarten life

On Tuesday (13.6.2023), 180 nursery school teachers from the municipal nurseries in Jena came together for a symposium. Under the motto "What are we actually doing here? - Promoting resilience in everyday kindergarten life", presentations and interactive activities shed light on the various facets of the daily demands placed on staff in the performance of their responsible work.

Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche expressed his appreciation for the work of nursery school teachers. In his greeting, he also addressed the uncertainty surrounding the necessary reduction in kindergarten places in Jena. Every effort is being made to avoid any redundancies.

In two keynote speeches, the speakers addressed current developments in children's everyday lives. Educational scientist Caroline Ali-Tani, for example, looked at practical examples of how the omnipresent staff shortage in children's facilities can be dealt with more effectively. Despite the recurring crises in everyday pedagogical life, more space should be given to the self-esteem of children and educators.

Pediatrician Dr. Herbert Renz-Polster gave a very dynamic presentation on healthy childhood. He called for more serenity. "Stressed children don't learn" should be the motto of every children's facility. Only in this way can childhood develop into a solid foundation for life as a whole.

Following the presentations, the participants tried their hand at participating, laughing and reflecting in a theatrical themed course under the guidance of Freie Bühne Jena e.V.

Christine Wolfer, Head of Youth and Education, summarized the day: "With this offer of reflection - deliberately without children - we want to offer our colleagues from the municipal kindergartens an opportunity to further develop their personality with new impulses. Over the last few years in particular, we have experienced the enormous pressure on teaching staff. They are very often the only buffer for the uncertainties of daily life, which children perceive with particular intensity. It is therefore the aim of the municipal kindergartens to give the strengths of the teachers room to develop in the interests of the child."