The first day of the new school year marks the beginning of a new chapter for each child with exciting educational opportunities, friends, group activities and more. In Germany, the very first day of the first grade holds great cultural significance. As an American, there is a lot of value placed on graduations as a means of celebrating a certain level of achievement or accomplishment. Germans celebrate what is called an Einschulung for children who are entering the first grade.
An Einschulung is the traditional German rite of passage marking a child’s formal entry into elementary school, typically occurring between the ages of six and seven. This significant milestone is celebrated with various customs and festivities, creating a memorable day for both children and their families. In many ways the Einschulung marks the beginning of a new chapter for a child. The years of play-based learning have come to end and it marks the start of a child entering into the world of education and setting up this child for their future professional life. It is often said ‘Jetzt fängt der Ernst des Lebens an,‘ meaning that the start of school marks also the start of real life. Better said, this event not only signifies the beginning of a child’s academic journey but also emphasizes the importance of education and community support in Germany.
In some of the federal states, known as Bundesländer, first graders who are referred to as Schulanfänger or Erstklässler often have a different start date for school then the rest of the primary school students. The Einschulung may take place during the week or even on a Saturday and typically last a few hours.
The celebration usually includes a festive gathering with family and friends, where parents often decorate their homes and prepare special meals. One of the central features of Einschulung is the presentation of a Schultüte or Zuckertüte (a large, colorful cone filled with sweets, school supplies, and small gifts), which symbolizes the joy of starting school.
The Schultüte traces its origins back to the early 19th century and was created in the Saxony region around 1810. The purpose was simple yet profound: to ease children’s transition into the world of academia. The Schultüte is often filled with treats, toys, and school supplies, providing children with both comfort and excitement on their first day.
As the tradition spread throughout Germany, the concept of the Zuckertüte evolved. The modern version is typically made from colorful paper, fabric or cardboard, often elaborately decorated with themes that reflect a child’s interests, such as their favorite animals, cartoons, or hobbies. Parents spend time crafting or purchasing these cones, ensuring they are unique to each child.
The Schultüte serves as much more than a festive gift; it carries deep cultural and emotional significance. It symbolizes a warm welcome to the educational world. Filled with goodies, it is a tangible representation of the joy and excitement associated with learning and growth. On the other hand, starting school can be daunting for young children. The Zuckertüte acts as a comforting gesture, providing reassurance that they are supported by their families and the community as they embark on this new chapter. The Schultüte often contain school supplies like pencils, erasers, and sometimes even small books. This practical aspect prepares children for their school journey and introduces them to the tools they will be using. The tradition of the Zuckertüte highlights the values of family, education, and community in German culture. It fosters a sense of belonging and emphasizes the importance of celebrating milestones together.
On the day of Einschulung, families gather to celebrate. Children often proudly carry their ornate Schultüten to school, ensuring they feel special from the very start. The ceremony often includes welcoming speeches from teachers, performances by students, and various activities, all contributing to an atmosphere of joy and excitement. After the ceremony, students will then go with their teachers and fellow students for an hour or so of classroom time. This means kids attend the Einschulung with their backpacks known as Schulranzen, filled with school supplies.Here, they will have a brief introduction to the new teacher, introduce themselves to their classmates and have a mini-lesson. Afterwards, the students will rejoin their parents who may be waiting on the school playground or in the auditorium.
Following the formal Einschulung ceremonies, the first graders along with their families will then return home to open the Schultüte and celebrate this exciting day with family and friends. The style and level of celebrations varies within Germany. In many regions, it is typical to have coffee and cake with grandparents and perhaps a small group of family and friends. While, in other areas the celebration may be more elaborate to include catered menus, outdoor tents, bouncy castles and more.
If your child will enter school this year and you are not sure how to prepare for the upcoming day. You will likely receive a welcome letter from the school or the class teacher noting the items needed (school supplies). This list also varies throughout Germany. Our list here in Bremen was rather short and included mostly basic items like pencils, scissors, glue sticks and so forth. We also then paid into the Klassenkasse or class petty cash for other expenses like watercolor kits, paint brushes, folders etc. (Be prepared if you hear the word Klassenkasse-it will often mean you are paying funds in cash). Whereas, in Niedersachen (Lower Saxony) and Frankfurt for instance, the lists were rather extensive.
Many parents will place a t-shirt at the bottom of the cone which can be from the school itself or feature a motive that highlights the child is a Schulkind. The cone will then be filled with small school items, a bit of candy, perhaps a Sorgenfresser-a small whimsical plush toy that is meant to take away the worries of the child, and a game or toy to be used during school recess. Pinterest has a number of ideas and videos, if you are looking to create your own cone. Local Stationary stores or office supply stores will likely have cardboard ones for sale. There are also several firms and private individuals selling Schultüten online via platforms like Etsy and Kleinanzeigen (Ebay). In addition, many fabric stores sell premade Schultüten.
If you are attending and Einschulung party and not sure what to bring. It can be typical to bring a small item from a local toy store which may include fun pencils or a friendship book. If you’re unsure you can always ask the parent(s). We will be attending the Einschulung of a close family friend later this month. We made our own cone out of a large sheet of heavy card-board or stock and have decorated the outside with fun patches, stickers and ribbons. Inside the cone, we have filled it with candy made locally in Bremen, hair clips, a jump rope, mini markers, a Schleich Lama (the class animal is a Lama) and have purchased a book in which the school child can detail the first day experience and we can write well wishes for the school year.
From our Local Worldwide Relocation team here in Bremen and throughout Germany, we wish all the first graders and their families a wonderful start to their school adventure. Viel Spas dabei!