New forest kindergarten in Wolfsgurgel: Experience nature instead of fridge!

New forest kindergarten in Wolfsgurgel: Experience nature instead of fridge!

In the tranquil area of Wolfsgurgel, north of the children's house Maria Theresia, a new nature and forest kindergarten will soon open its doors. This initiative, which was launched by the Nazareth house, pursues the goal of bringing children closer to the respectful way of dealing with nature. The deputy director Daniel Hahn explains that the idea arose five years ago when the employees of the facility noticed that both children and adults are increasingly losing the relationship to nature.

A concise example that illustrates the urgency of this concern, comes from Franciska Michelberger, head of the children's home Maria Theresia. When she wanted to harvest fruit with the kindergarten children, one of the children noticed: "We don't have to harvest the cherries at all, we have some in the fridge." This type of alienation from nature makes it clear why the new kindergarten is so important. Children should not only learn where foods come from, but also discover the joy of nature.

The structure of the kindergarten

A total of three construction trailers are to be placed on the site, including the largest with 39 square meters, which serves as a shelter for the children. Hahn describes this as a kind of "Tiny House", which should give the children a homely feeling. The other two cars will serve to store materials, while two wooden houses are set up for the use of the toilet, but without using traditional, rudimentary constructions.

Through cooperation with solidarity agriculture nearby, the children are given the opportunity to experience sustainable agriculture up close. Hahn emphasizes that this cooperation is of crucial importance for the development of the kindergarten and that the children will provide practical knowledge of their environment. The goal is to show the children that cherries do not grow in the fridge, but on the tree.

a kindergarten for everyone

The new kindergarten is designed in such a way that it is as barrier -free as possible and is accessible to all children, including those with physical or mental impairments. Daniel Hahn recognizes the challenges that a natural environment for children in a wheelchair brings. Here it is important to find solutions so that no child has the feeling that it has the feeling of standing in the game.

The planned opening of the kindergarten is scheduled for September next year. According to Hahn, however, it will be a sporting challenge because many exams are imminent. At the beginning, a small group of children is looked after by two educators half a day. In the long term, the care should then be extended to up to 20 children and all -day care should be offered.

The decision for a natural kindergarten falls into a time when awareness of ecological issues and the preservation of nature is steadily increasing. The kindergarten is part of a movement towards a more sustainable education and offers the children the opportunity to establish a deeper connection to the environment and actively experience the beauties of nature. Such an approach could not be more important today, since it not only conveys knowledge, but also creates values that last for a lifetime.