«She likes going to school - that helps a lot with her learning»

«When we were out in the woods the other day, Carina spotted a woodpecker's nesting hole in a tree. She asked me: "Mum, can you take a photo of the woodpecker's nest and print it out for me so I can take it to school?» Carina wanted to show her classmates that what they had just talked about in the «Forest» topic block in class could actually be found outside their front door.

We enjoy travelling in nature a lot, and for some time now we have been learning a lot from Carina on these tours, who brings her school knowledge into everyday family life: What the little flower in the meadow on the hillside is called, what the yellow butterfly's favourite food is. At home, we practise weights and measures, for example when Carina takes a litre of milk and a packet of butter out of the fridge: How much is in there? Carina is generally very curious and eager to learn, she wanted to start reading in her second year of kindergarten and we had to explain the letters to her. Starting school was easy for her, she soaked up everything she was offered in terms of knowledge. She completed her homework in half the allotted time and independently, without us having to ask or intervene. We were very grateful because we know that things can be done differently.

«Why don't you explain to me how you do the maths?» This sentence worked.

Carina liked writing and reading right from the start and found them easy. Maths not so much, she always had to think for a moment. Then the tasks became more complex and within two school years she had three different maths teachers who all showed her different approaches. This confused her and eventually she said: «I can't do this.» I started practising with her. That was a learning process for me too, I realised that she learns things differently at school than I used to. Then I said: «Why don't you explain to me how you do the maths?» That worked. I sat next to her but let Carina do the maths on her own. I wanted to be present, to give her the feeling that she could reach out to me straight away if she had a question.

Carina feels comfortable in her class and at school, she enjoys going there. During the coronavirus pandemic, we realised how much this feeling of well-being makes a difference to her learning. We homeschooled for five weeks and she was less motivated. Sometimes I worry because Carina now has three afternoon lessons in year three. Being so involved at such a young age seems demanding to me. Then again, I can see how much she enjoys learning and that the lessons not only teach her new knowledge, but also involve a lot of practising. At the moment, for example, she is practising her multiplication tables, which I still go through with her regularly to make sure she is on the right track. I think we have the right mix."