"Today's positive announcement: 'Foundation Children Research' honors Kita in Melle"
The Kita & Family Centre Melle-Neuenkirchen: A Pioneer in MINT Education
The Kita & Family Centre Melle-Neuenkirchen, located in Lower Saxony, Germany, is making waves in early childhood education with its innovative approach to Mathematics, Informatics, Natural sciences, and Technology (MINT) education. This unique centre is dedicated to fostering curiosity and foundational skills in science and technology among young children.
Experiential Learning at the Heart of MINT Education
At the Kita & Family Centre, learning is hands-on and experiential. Children engage in practical experiments and activities that encourage exploration and discovery in natural sciences and technology. The centre integrates various MINT subjects through thematic projects, making learning holistic and connected to real-world phenomena.
A Child-Centered Approach
Activities at the Kita & Family Centre are designed to be age-appropriate, stimulating, and adapted to the developmental stages of children, encouraging active participation. The centre's specialists achieve this through regular training, project work, and a research-oriented approach in daily pedagogical practice.
Collaboration for Quality Early Childhood Education
The Kita & Family Centre works closely with local schools, libraries, and community organizations to enrich its MINT offerings. Partnerships with local businesses and scientific institutions provide opportunities for excursions, guest lectures, and workshops that expose children to professional STEM environments. Cooperation with family support services ensures an integrated educational approach that extends learning beyond the childcare environment, involving parents in MINT activities.
Promoting Sustainable Development
The Kita & Family Centre integrates sustainability topics into MINT education by focusing on environmental science, recycling projects, and energy conservation exercises. Children learn about ecological responsibility through hands-on gardening, nature observation, and sustainable resource use. Educational content is aligned with values of sustainability, teaching children the importance of caring for their environment as part of their scientific inquiry.
Recognition for Excellence
The Kita & Family Centre Melle-Neuenkirchen has been officially certified for the sixth time as a "house where children research" by the "Stiftung Kinder forschen". This certification honours the centre's commitment to early education in the fields of MINT and sustainable development. Anke Kellermeier, network partner of "einfach MINT" of the WIGOS economic development society of the Osnabrücker Land, visited the centre during the ceremonial handover of the certification.
In summary, the Kita & Family Centre Melle-Neuenkirchen uniquely combines experiential MINT education with strong local collaborations and a commitment to sustainable development, fostering early scientific literacy and ecological awareness in children. The directors of the centre aim to provide children with a space to live out their curiosity with fun and enthusiasm. Kim Rittinghaus and Nico Michalick, directors of the facility of the HHO Kindheit & Jugend gGmbH, expressed their pleasure at receiving this recognition of their work.
- The Kita & Family Centre Melle-Neuenkirchen, beyond MINT education, also focuses on personal growth and self-development by integrating mindfulness practices into their pedagogical approach.
- In addition to MINT education, the centre encourages career development by offering online education and skills training, preparing young learners for the digital future.
- Recognizing the importance of continuous learning for educators, the Kita & Family Centre Melle-Neuenkirchen provides opportunities for ongoing personal growth through workshops, conferences, and professional development programs related to education and self-development.
- By fostering a love for learning and a curiosity for science in the early stages of development, the Kita & Family Centre Melle-Neuenkirchen sets the foundation for a lifelong journey of discovery, career success, and personal fulfillment.
