The Berlin Model for a Healthy Transition to Kindergarten

The Berlin Model is an approach developed to help children transition to kindergarten smoothly and healthily. Choosing the right school and understanding the best parental approaches during this adaptation period are key to preventing initial difficulties. Designed to assist both parents and educators, the Berlin Model consists of structured phases. As the child progresses through these stages, their trust in the school environment builds step-by-step, ensuring they are ready for the next phase without experiencing stress.

The Basic Phase

During the Basic Phase, a parent remains in the classroom with the child for three days. The preschool teacher carefully and gently tries to engage the child in play or joins in their activities. The main goal is to make the child feel secure and comfortable. There is no pressure to play with other children or separate from the parent. During this phase, the parent should focus solely on being there for their child rather than interacting with other kids.

The Balancing and Separation Phase

From the fourth day onward, the preschool teacher assists the child with lunch and steps in to play with them. The goal is for the child to build complete trust in the teacher. Therefore, unless the child signals for help, the parent should not intervene during the day, as this could hinder the bond between the child and the teacher.

Simultaneously, the first separation attempt takes place on the fourth day. (If the fourth day falls on a Monday, this step should be postponed to the fifth day). By the fifth day—or the eighth or ninth day if a second separation attempt is needed—the teacher should be in a position to meet all of the child's needs. The parent says an empathetic goodbye and leaves the classroom for about half an hour, remaining close by to return quickly if called.

The Concluding Phase

In this final phase, the child is fully integrated into the daily routine. While the parent is no longer needed in the classroom, they remain easily reachable. The child has now built a strong, secure bond with their teacher, viewing them as a safe haven and happily exploring their new school environment.