Heldenstein kindergarten wins award for making reading part of daily life

The St Rupert kindergarten in Heldenstein has received Germany’s “Buchkita” quality seal for its approach to reading and language development, BR reports. The award recognises the way books and reading are woven into the children’s daily routine.

In the kindergarten’s reading room, known as the “Fuchsbau”, language specialist Heidi Huber reads the picture book “Frederick” to a group of children. She asks them what is happening and what the mouse might do next, encouraging them to respond and tell their own stories.

The children then recreate scenes from the book with a brown cloth, a stone wall and toy mice. Huber says reading aloud introduces children to new words and prompts conversation and shared time together. At St Rupert, language learning is part of everyday activities rather than a separate lesson.

The national jury assessed applicants on how regularly they read aloud, children’s access to books and how reading and language development are incorporated into daily life. This year, 352 institutions applied and 102 received the seal. Fourteen of the successful kindergartens are in Bavaria.

The work also responds to a wider need: according to the Reading Aloud Monitor by Stiftung Lesen, about one in three children aged one to eight is rarely or never read to at home. St Rupert invites grandparents to read to the children during reading events, and children can bring in favourite books on Children’s Book Day.

The kindergarten can use the “Buchkita” seal for three years. The award comes with no prize money and serves mainly as recognition of the work already carried out at the kindergarten.