Claudia's 1st day of German Kita!

Well, it's finally here! Claudia's long awaited first day of school! But it's no regular preschool--it's a German Kita or Kindergarten! Here in Germany, they don't call it preschool, they call it Kindergarten until they start in Year 1, when their formal education begins. In Year 1 is when they get their real schultutte(see above blog for description), but we couldn't let Claudia start her very first year of school without such a fun treat, especially since her big sister had one! It was of course on a much smaller level, but still just as fun for her to receive.

She is attending a school called The Tom Sawyer school (in the old American Sector). It is bilingual. She has a German speaking teacher and an English speaking teacher, so she hears both languages all day. Most of the children in her class speak German, with the exception of 1 or 2 that speak both. It is our hope that she gets a jump start on learning German now, so she can be more prepared in future German classes. And maybe she can even help teach me!

At school she not only gets to have breakfast, but lunch too. This is a Montessori based school, so they really feel like eating is such a big part of their social interaction. And now that I think about it--they are right! What do I do when I am visiting a friend? I usually go out to eat!

Aside from things she is doing in the classroom, she gets to take additional classes that other teachers volunteer to teach during free time. So our little Claudia is taking Pottery on Mondays and Music on Wednesdays! She loves these extra activities, especially since she's so used to hearing about all the fun stuff Paige gets to do at her school! She is finally able to do her own thing!

Outside of school, Claudia started taking swim lessons too. Next year when she attends the British School with Paige, it will be part of her curriculum there. But for now, her class is right next door to her school, which is super convenient and she has a great time too!

Claudia is getting a great start to her education, and we can't wait to see all the different German traditions she'll be introduced too along the way!