Day 16

3 hours of school preparation for parents and child in Germany

Strong together for the school Strong together for the school

3 hours of school preparation for parents and child in Germany
Day 16
Reducing educational inequality in Germany

Tariq will soon be 6 years old and he really wants to go to school in the summer. His family comes from Afghanistan and his parents hardly speak any German. Because of the war, his father was only able to attend school for three years. His mother wants her son to have a better life and receive a good education. The pediatrician tells them about HIPPY, a parent-child program that can prepare Tariq for school in a playful and successful way. Tariq is just as curious as his parents. Every week they receive a visit from a supporter of the HIPPY project. She brings children's books and exercise books for Tariq. They all practice together - reading, painting, speaking and playing. The family has a lot of fun and everyone learns together. Then the time has come: Tariq passes the aptitude test and starts school. He is beaming from ear to ear and his parents are also very proud.

Reducing educational inequality in Germany
need
Early support for children in families in challenging life situations throughout Germany.
activity
Social and community institutions as well as charitable organizations offer the HIPPY family program and strengthen parents and preschool children before they start school.
Measurable performance
Number of hours families benefit from in the HIPPY program.
Result
Children learn important skills before starting school and are prepared for school together with their parents.
Systemically relevant impact
Better learning and future opportunities for all children regardless of social status, income and origin.
background

Education is an important resource in a wealthy country like Germany. Early education is particularly important for development and equal opportunities. Some children can already write or play the piano when they start school. Other first-graders have trouble holding a pencil or sitting still. The path a child will take later on is often decided in the first few years of life.

In Germany, educational success is closely linked to the social background and income of the parents, much more so than in other countries (OECD, 2018). There are parents who are unable to support their children in their development without outside help. These children have no chance to train their fine motor skills, practice reading or develop creativity. This means that the likelihood of these children achieving a higher level of education or even a school qualification at all is significantly lower - with all the disadvantages for their personal future and for society.

Berlin, Germany
Day 16 Day 16
The good deed

Supporters from the HIPPY program visit families for several months before school starts and support them in preparing for and acquiring key skills. Both parents and children benefit from this. The familiar environment at home, the trusting relationship with the family visitor and regular practice with exciting children's books and tasks simultaneously promote the children's development. Mothers and fathers' self-confidence is strengthened and children learn important skills for starting school life in a playful way. The HIPPY program prepares families for the transition to primary school, paves the way for children to get off to a good start on their personal educational and life path and reduces educational inequalities.

AboutGermany
Berlin
Berlin
Capital city
82 521 653
82 521 653
Population
46.136
46.136
Gross domestic product per capita per year
5
5
Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

Education is an important resource in Germany. However, education spending only amounts to 4.2% of the gross domestic product. This is even below the average of all 28 EU countries of 5%.