The German way of raising children

Each country has different customs and traditions, and naturally, the ways of raising children are not the same.Unlike in Vietnam, German parents value independence and instill responsibility in their children from a young age, allowing them to do things that few Vietnamese children are allowed to do.

In Germany, you might rarely see parents cuddling and doting on their children like in Vietnam. They have very separate lives, and children are treated as true family members, participating in their parents' activities rather than being mere "devices" to attract attention. German parents comfortably enjoy coffee, play together, and let their children do whatever they want.

German children walk to school on their own without adult supervision.

German parents teach their children to be independent from a very young age.

The reason is simple: Germans respect the independence and responsibility of each individual. German parents don't let their children do whatever they like; they trust their children and allow them to develop in ways that align with their life experiences.

In addition to the characteristics mentioned above, German parents also have other incredibly unique ways of raising their children.

Don't force children to read or study.

Preschools in Germany do not encourage academic achievement or knowledge acquisition in young children. In fact, teachers and many parents there oppose forcing children to read too early, arguing that it is a process children must develop and accumulate knowledge with their peers as they grow.

For Germans, kindergarten is a place for children to play and develop their first social skills. This continues until the child reaches first grade, where they only attend school for half a day, with the remaining time extended to include two extracurricular activities or physical education classes.

German parents don't force their children to study too early, and neither do schools; children are allowed to play freely without having to worry about studying from a young age like in other countries.

However, don't think that this means German children are poor students; statistics from 2012 show that 15-year-old students in Germany achieved much higher academic results than the world average. These students possess a strong knowledge base, high self-discipline, superior health, and excellent social awareness.

Don't mind letting your children play with fire.

This might come as a surprise to many Vietnamese parents, as fire is generally considered taboo due to its potential to burn young children. In Germany, however, the opposite is true; children are exposed to fire from a very young age. Many children are even allowed to play with lighters, matches, or burn various things to their heart's content. Of course, these exercises are all conducted under the supervision of teachers or family members.

Of course, dangerous activities like using fireworks or explosives are prohibited, but German children can freely play with fire from a very young age, and they understand how to use it and the dangers it can cause as they grow older.

Allow your child to go out and play alone.

German children walk to school and also walk around the neighborhood.

German children walk to school and play around the neighborhood on their own, only taking them when the distance is too far; otherwise, they explore the world independently. Some parents even allow their children to take the bus or train to school. They are not afraid of their children being kidnapped, but there are some concerns about traffic accidents.

However, this is probably only possible in Germany due to the extremely low, if not rare, rate of child abduction. German parents do this to give their children freedom of movement, and some scientists believe this is good for the children.

Organize a celebratory party on the first day of school.

For Germans, there are three most important milestones: Einschulung (starting first grade), Jugendweihe (becoming a young adult), and marriage, so they have specific ways to celebrate each of these significant occasions.

Einschulung is a holiday when children celebrate, play, and receive big gifts before going to school.

In Berlin, Einschulung is a major school celebration held on Saturdays. During this holiday, children play together and receive a Zuckertute (a large gift containing pens, watches, candy, and other school supplies). After playing to their heart's content, the children return home and continue celebrating with family and friends. Einschulung is a holiday that every German child wants to attend; it has a positive impact on children's lives and, to some extent, encourages them to go to school.

Jugendweihe begins when a child turns 14. This party includes eating, dancing, giving gifts, and offering advice to the child before they enter a new stage of life.

German parents take their children out every day.

There's a German saying: "There's no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." The value of going outside every day is instilled in Germans through both school and family, and Germany also has many public playgrounds where children can freely play.

In playgrounds in Germany, children have fun together playing indoor games without needing help from their parents.

Regardless of the weather outside—rain or shine, hot or cold—Germans take their children out every day, letting them go to the park and then allowing them to play with other children their age.

With these methods, not only do German children develop independence from a very young age, but parents also have a much lighter burden, allowing them to focus on other tasks. The same advice is always followed, and German parents are always ready to help their children whenever they need it.

According to Young Knowledge