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Before your children can attend school, they should be able to do...

In Germany, kids go to school when they are 6 or 7 years old. However, they must meet certain requirements before German primary schools admit them.

Don't worry; the schools don't expect your child to read, write, or do math. What they expect is the following

• the child can understand and speak German
• can dress and undress independently
• able to resolve conflicts themselves (with words)
• okay, being separated from the parents
• communicate with other children and adults
• go to the toilet independently and cleanly

These are some of the main things, but the list goes on. The complete checklist is available here.

In short, the school wants the child to have good social, motor, and linguistic skills and emotional stability.

First day at school rituals

As a foreigner in Germany, I found German's first day at school tradition amazing. The rituals make going to school fun and an amazing memory for everyone.

You must be wondering what the Germans do.

The school prepares a welcome event for all the new children. There is a performance from the kids in the 2nd grade, a speech from the school's principal, the mingling of the parents and other kids, and much more.

Your child marches through the narrow corridor made by the 2nd graders, welcoming the new kids to school.

But this is not all. The preparation and fun to start school begins way before the first day.

Every child in Germany brings a "schultüte" on their first school day. Do you know what a schultüte is?

No worries. I haven't heard of it either since recently.

Schultüte is a big cone you can make at home or buy on Amazon. The cone is as big as your kid is, and it's filled with candies and the things your child will need in school.

Parents and children decorate the schultüte to their hearts' content. Some kids choose the frozen princess theme, and others choose Spider-Man.

Seeing so many colorful, sparkly schultüte in the hands of young kids is a site to see.

Additionally, parents and children enjoy shopping for the school bag. There is a huge variety of school bags in Germany. You'll be surprised how fancy and expensive they can be.

You will easily spend over a hundred euros on school bags and supplies. However, seeing the smile on your child's face makes all this effort worth it.

These first-day-at-school activities not only make the day memorable but also get kids excited about going to school.

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