Violence prevention in kindergartens

As part of a practical project, three students from the Business Management degree program (now: Leadership & Business Management) were commissioned by the Soroptimist International Club Kufstein to design a media box on the topic of violence prevention and child protection. The club's original idea was a children's book on this topic. This has now been developed further in cooperation with the Endach kindergarten and the Diversity Network. After several discussions and exchanges between the Soroptimists, the Endach kindergarten and the students of the Kufstein University, the idea of a media box for elementary educational institutions in Kufstein was born with the aim of giving the institutions access to educational material on the subject of child protection and children's rights. This is how the courage box was created: Courage is good for us. 

WHAT IS THE COURAGE BOX?

The media box contains a carefully selected collection of books and games aimed at strengthening children's resilience to violence, as well as helping them to understand their emotions, build healthy relationships and develop constructive conflict resolution strategies. In addition to preventive measures, strengthening children's psychological resilience is also crucial. The media box also includes literature for specialist staff to support and accompany the facilities in their discussions on the topics of children's rights and the protection of children inside and outside the facility. The content of the box is based on pedagogical background knowledge and is structured in a way that children of this developmental age learn holistically and through positive reinforcement. This gave rise to the categories of the media box - empowerment, diversity, prevention, feelings and children's rights. It was very important to everyone involved to make children's rights the focus of the box. 

THE NECESSARY TOOLS

Through the usage of stories and interactive media, the children are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings, recognize and set their own boundaries and seek help. “Our media box is designed not only to give the children tools to cope with violent situations, but also to strengthen their self-awareness and self-confidence,” explained the students. The content of the box was developed and selected on the basis of the practical experience and theoretical knowledge of Magdalena Lechner, head of the Endach kindergarten, and Tanja Thaler, child protection officer and elementary teacher. Their knowledge, their experience and the content put into practice form the basis of the box. “Our wish is to provide the facilities with material to sensitize the children entrusted to them and the staff to children's rights and to be courageous in standing up for these rights,” say Lechner and Thaler. Network Diversity, Georg Mitterer and Christine Karrer, provided their legal knowledge and professional expertise. There was an exchange with children's book author Brigitte Weninger for a good understanding of children's books. The project was financed by the Soroptimist International Club Kufstein, which donated the media box to the 13 kindergartens in Kufstein. In addition, the Kufstein Library for Science & Leisure (kubi) displays a media box to guarantee public access to the books and games. The costs for this box are covered by the town of Kufstein (Integration Department). 

RELEASE PARTY

Further information about the MutMach-Box was provided on April 15 at 3 p.m. at the FH Kufstein Tirol. There, all participants talked about the media box and answered questions. The media boxes were then made available to the kindergartens in Kufstein in order to maximize the reach and effectiveness of the MutMach-Box.

Link:

• Soroptimistinnen