Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

Children Group at WUK

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.

Early language education for children with a non-German mother tongue

The Aladdin and the Magic Lamp team is specialised in early age language teaching for children with a non-German mother tongue. Sponsored by the BMEIA – Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs and the European Integration Fund, our language course is for children who meet the following criteria: aged between 2 and 6, citizens of a non-EU country, legal residency in Austria, and live in Vienna.

The project takes place in the framework of the Aladdin and the Magic Lamp children group of the association “Multicultural Network”. The children group offers supervision of the children from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and, with exception of a contribution for food, is free of charge.

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

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