ESC: Join the BWS - a school beyond the ordinary

The "Bildungswerkstatt Knittlingerhof" runs a school with public rights and a private kindergarten. We currently have more than 70 schoolchildren (age 6 to 15) and 17 kindergarten children (age 3 to 6) with a total of 8 supervisors. We are convinced that every person has their full potential within themselves and can carry out all development and learning processes in an appropriate environment that are necessary to realize themselves. We want to respect the form, the timing and the duration of the developmental steps of every child and not steer it through influence and manipulation in a way that would correspond to our own ideas. We trust that each child chooses for themselves which steps are important for their growth and for fulfilling their life plan - provided they have the necessary living conditions. We therefore strive to create these conditions in the form of a relaxed atmosphere, respectful relationships and a prepared environment. The school is fully borne by the parents, established 1990, that is, from the financing to the cleaning of the building and even repairs, the parents try to provide by self-help or professionals are called in. The community of the parents is value-oriented and - of course - ist makes fun to be part of it! The core values of "Bildungswerkstatt Knittlingerhof" are: empathy, human rights, inclusion, social and environmental responsibility. Prepared environment All rooms and the outdoor area are equipped with a variety of materials that meet the interests, activities and learning needs of the children. In order to be able to pursue their activities, however, children not only need materials, but above all a relaxed atmosphere and respectful relationships. Free play and movement Every kind of game, role play, movement and creative activity is equivalent to the so-called cultural techniques such as reading, writing and arithmetic. Play and movement are the basis for creative intelligence and the development of structures of understanding. The children in the Knittlingerhof educational workshop have the opportunity to follow their need for exercise and their own impulses to play at any time. Inner structure Depending on their age, children live in different stages of development. We take this structure into account and intervene neither accelerating nor abstracting nor through praise and criticism. Cognitive learning The children develop learning content on the basis of specific activities with learning materials that enable the child to "grasp" and "grasp" the world. This enables them to see through things and their relationships and to find out regularities for themselves. Every child has its own personality and the pace of learning, perseverance, concentration and approach are very individual. The supervisor accompanies, gives assistance and makes offers. Life processes Intellectual, social, emotional and manual needs, requirements and activities are of equal value to us. It is important to us to give space to all experiences of the child (conflicts, crises, joy, sadness, boredom, friendship, love, ...). In dealing with these processes, the child can grow and mature in his entire personality. Nondirectivity The approach of nondirectivity means that the carers perceive the growing person as an autonomous being with their own ideas and needs. So that the children can work autonomously, rules that make living together possible and the setting of clear boundaries are essential. autonomy To be autonomous means to be independent and autonomous and to live according to your own laws. We try to enable the child to develop autonomously by repeatedly realizing that there is a being in front of us who functions according to its own laws and we want to treat it with respect, caution and restraint. This allows the child to learn and grow in accordance with their own feelings. Being relaxed In order for a child to be able to use the offers and the prepared environment for themselves, they must be receptive, feel themselves and feel safe. The child needs adults who set the necessary limits with respect, accompany them in processes of rebellion and pain, and respect their autonomy. The cooperation and the regular exchange with the parents are an essential basis. social learning Social learning takes place when different people work together and strive for respect for each individual, but also for the community. It is our concern to accompany children and young people in conflict situations, but not to give them the solution. There is a weekly forum in which wishes and conflicts are discussed with the entire school community. integration Integration is the integration of people with special needs into our community, with their rights and obligations, so that they feel that they are being taken seriously. The concept of school and kindergarten makes it possible for children and young people with different talents to learn with one another, from one another