New book causes a stir

Kindergardeners alarmed about the “condition” of children

Kindergarten teachers are worried

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

The state of today's kindergarten children is causing headaches for their caregivers. "In view of the mental state of the youngest children, we wonder what will become of this generation. Language problems are almost the norm, and behavioral disorders are booming. A society is losing its foundations here. We want to make this very clear." Educators warn of a ticking time bomb in a new book. The "Krone" spoke to author Judith Hintermeier.

She worked as an elementary teacher in a Viennese kindergarten for twelve years and is now with the trade union. Hintermeier identifies negative developments in recent years. In her book, she poses the question of how these children are supposed to prevent the impending disintegration of a society that is becoming ever more rabid and characterized by self-centeredness. How are they supposed to preserve and carry into the future everything that generations before them have laboriously built up? How are they supposed to uphold the intergenerational contract as adults?

"It will be difficult. Because these children are increasingly suffering from phenomena such as: sleep disorders, depression, attention problems, hyperactivity, eating disorders, obesity, delayed speech development, addictive behavior and pseudo-autism caused by excessive technology consumption."

These children have an increased need for support and they are "extremely strenuous for teachers in a group of 25 children on average because it also means physical activity". One of the many reasons for these problems is the children's uncontrolled media consumption. 

Book author Judith Hintermeier

(Bild: lukas-beck)

"Environmental influences and the fast pace of life, the constant pressure that is conveyed and to which parents are also exposed" also play a role - but so do all the technology and digitalization. "Many children today are sedated with cell phones, iPads and televisions." This is having a noticeable effect. "Because it actually makes them more restless."

"You notice for yourself when you look around on the subway that many people are only on their cell phones and that communication is becoming less and less frequent." The flood of information has advantages and disadvantages. "It's extremely difficult and challenging for children," says Hintermeier. She calls on politicians to introduce a uniform federal framework law throughout Austria. "We still have a patchwork quilt when it comes to opening hours, staffing and the staff-child ratio."

The children are changing. And in a worrying way.

Autorin Hintermeier

"Where one adult is responsible for 25 children, we have an extreme shortage of staff, we need more trained staff, so in this respect we also need a training offensive, simply equivalent quality throughout Austria, where you have roughly the same framework conditions and of course more money."

A new book is causing a furor.

(Bild: Petja Mladenova)

"I think it is important that there is better cooperation between parents and staff and that parent-child centers are created where you can get information and various tips and tricks, perhaps also with social workers. It's about better cooperation." The kindergarten should not be seen as a "depository" because "it's about our children. It's about the people who will determine the fate of this world in a few years' time and who will pay for our pensions with their contributions as part of the intergenerational contract."