Germany experts advise against early academic drills, promote play‑based learning

Education researchers Marcus Hasselhorn of the Leibniz Institute for Educational Research and Konstanze von Unold of the Primary School Association say German children do not need intensive reading, writing and arithmetic exercises before school. They warn that the lack of binding development goals for kindergarten contributes to a rise in first‑grade learning gaps, noting that insufficient basic number understanding can increase the risk of dyscalculia eightfold. Instead, they recommend playful activities – such as dice games, everyday counting with objects, and joint reading – to build early numeracy and literacy. Parents are urged to model reading, limit screen time, and give children small responsibilities to foster self‑confidence and social skills. The experts stress that social‑emotional competence and the ability to work in groups are as crucial as academic basics for successful school entry.