The plight of preschoolers today is a headache for their caregivers. “Given the psychological state of the youngest children, we wonder what will become of this generation. Speech problems are almost the norm, and behavioral problems are increasing exponentially. This is where a society loses its foundation. We want to say this clearly.” In a new book, teachers warn of a ticking time bomb. The “Krone” spoke with the author Judith Hintermeier.
She worked as a primary school teacher at a Viennese kindergarten for twelve years and is now a member of the trade union. Hintermeier notes negative developments in recent years. In her book she asks how these children can prevent the impending collapse of a society that is becoming increasingly brutal and characterized by egocentrism. How should they preserve and transfer to the future everything that generations before them have worked hard to build? How should they adhere to the intergenerational contract later as adults?
“It will be difficult. Because these children increasingly suffer from symptoms such as: sleep disorders, depression, attention problems, hyperactivity, eating disorders, obesity, delayed language development, addictive behavior and pseudo-autism caused by excessive technology use.
These children have a greater need for support and for teachers in a group of an average of 25 children they are “extremely strenuous because it also means physical activity”. One of the many reasons for these problems is children’s uncontrolled media consumption.
“Environmental influences and the fast pace of life, the constant pressure that is transmitted and to which parents are also exposed” also play a role – but so does all technology and digitalization. “Many children today are kept quiet with cell phones, iPads and televisions.” This is noticeable. “Because it actually makes them more restless.”
“If you look around the metro, you notice that many people are only glued to their mobile phones and that there is less and less communication.” The flow of information has advantages and disadvantages. “It is extremely difficult and challenging for children,” says Hintermeier. She demands from politicians a uniform federal framework law for the whole of Austria. “We still have a patchwork when it comes to opening hours, staffing and the skilled worker-child ratio.”
“Where one adult is responsible for 25 children, we have an extreme shortage of staff, we need more trained staff, so a training offensive in this area, simply equivalent quality throughout Austria, where we have approximately the same general conditions and of course more money .”
“I think it is important that there is better cooperation between parents and staff and that there are parent-child centers 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 “warehouse” because “it is about our children. It is about those people who in a few years will determine the fate of this world and who will pay our pensions with their services as part of the intergenerational contract.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
