Paderborn University and "Qualität in Kitas Onlineakademie GmbH" are starting to set up the Hessian "Kinder.Sprachen.Zukunft" competence centre for language education and support in early childhood. The Hessian Minister of Social Affairs, Heike Hofmann, has now presented the notifications for the first phase. The Hessian Ministry of Labour, Integration, Youth and Social Affairs is sponsoring the project with a total of up to 4.2 million euros until the end of 2028. Following the set-up and conceptualisation phase, a state-wide kick-off event is planned for June. Based in Wiesbaden, the competence centre will pool scientifically sound knowledge and make it available to professionals in daycare facilities, childminders, providers, specialist advisors and families. The aim is to develop a sustainable, practice-orientated and scientific overall concept for Hesse, which is based on the education and upbringing plan for children aged 0 to 10 (BEP). To this end, the participants are incorporating the latest findings on early language development, multilingualism, media education and inclusion.
Scientific management at Paderborn University
The consortium, consisting of the "Inclusive Pedagogy" group and the "Centre for Information and Media Technology" (ZIM) at Paderborn University, is responsible for the scientific conception, monitoring and evaluation of the competence centre under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Timm Albers, Professor of Inclusive Pedagogy. This includes analysing the national and international state of research, developing evidence-based recommendations for action as well as the scientific quality assurance of all concepts, materials and training programmes.
"Language education is a key resource for educational equality and social participation, especially in times of growing heterogeneity and increasing multilingualism," emphasises Prof. Albers. "With 'Kinder.Sprachen.Zukunft', we are creating a structure in Hesse that brings research, practice and education policy closer together and makes it possible to provide all children with early and sustainable support in their language development."
Cooperation brings science into practice
The competence centre relies on a combined approach of advice, further training, digital services and networking formats. A central digital platform is used to provide materials, an AI-supported counselling chatbot and multilingual information services for families. The portfolio is supplemented by language coaches who work as local contact persons. At an operational level, Paderborn University therefore works closely with "Qualität in Kitas Onlineakademie GmbH". It is responsible for the practical set-up and operation of the centre, the coordination of the language coaches and the media and technical implementation.
Inclusion and equal opportunities
"Kinder.Sprachen.Zukunft" sees language education as an overarching task in the context of inclusion and equal opportunities. Special attention is paid to children from socially disadvantaged families, whose linguistic stimulation and learning environments are often characterised by unequal starting conditions. To this end, targeted programmes are designed to support professionals and families. "The Competence Centre aims to give all children, regardless of their background, language or individual circumstances, better opportunities for a successful educational biography," says Prof. Albers.
This text was translated automatically.
