Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
History of the Children Group
The children group Aladdin and the Magic Lamp exists since 1999. The main motivation was to found a bilingual (Arabic-German) children group in Vienna, as there were none of its kind at the time. In 2001 the children group became a multicultural children group.
Today
For many years children from different parts of the world have been coming to us – a great deal of them are refugee children. Above all, because the supervisors speak more than one language. The children play with one another, and in a short time they begin to speak German. The unique character of this group is rooted in its multi- and intercultural diversity. Two supervisors watch over the children, take them on outings and excursions, and teach them German in a playful way.
Our Principles
- A compensatory educational style
- Maria Montessori’s guiding principle: “Help me to do it myself!”
- A prepared and appealing atmosphere for the children
- The child has equal rights and is encouraged to co-decide and plan the everyday of the group
- A partnerly cooperation with the child
Personnel: at least 1 children supervisor, 1 helper, 1 cleaner
Objectives
- Learning German with the aid of poems, songs, etc.
- Interaction with the children on an emotional level
- Making music together
- Stimulating creativity
- Promoting environmental awareness
- Playing together in small groups and stimulating positive social behaviour
- Getting to know each other
- The opportunity to come in contact with other cultures in the spirit of multicultural education
Pedagogical Approach
- Emotional education
- Making contact and relationships with other children
- Being open for new experiences
- Stimulating personality
- Strengthening self-confidence
Social Behaviour
- Learning to play in small groups
- Working on group projects
Language Teaching
- An age-appropriate vocabulary in German, Arabic, and Croatian
Music Education
- Connection between body and music: clapping, stomping, rhythmic exercises
Stimulating the Mind
- Playing together
- Memory training: poems, songs, finger games
- Recognising and naming colours
Environmental Awareness
Independence
Intercultural Education
Triggering Curiosity