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They paint, spell, climb around - and for a short time forget how much they suffer from the Corona restrictions.
The little visitors to the "Arche" care center in Berlin-Hellersdorf often come from socially disadvantaged families; here they can find playmates of the same age for a short time.
For more than a year now, most of them have neglected the important aspect of dealing with their peers.
Bernd Siggelkow, Arche childcare center: "After 13 or 14 months, I have to say that it is a disaster for the children because they lack the entire infrastructure. The younger ones are okay, they are allowed to go to daycare. But with the children Bigger ones who go to school so irregularly, some of them have become quite fat, they just sit in front of the PC all day. The daily routine has changed, and of course the isolation has spread too. And this has increased the natural potential for aggression. "
More stress and violence, especially in socially disadvantaged households - at the moment we can only guess how big the problem really is. The leader of the Arche at least has a clue: In the past year, significantly more children and young people turned to hotlines and online advice services than in previous years. In addition, not every family can protect their children from Covid-19 in the same way.
Bernd Siggelkow, Arche childcare center: "Here in our main facility we have mostly single mothers who have fears that have left their children at home for a long time. The risk of infection is not so great. However, we also have families in other areas, which are much larger, where the family connection - where they also meet grandma and grandpa. The course of the disease is of course much worse. "
In the Berlin Arche children get a warm lunch, leisure activities and help with homework.
And adults who listen to them, who can help.
Bernd Siggelkow, Arche childcare center: "Sometimes parents call at night because they no longer know what to do with their children. Children call who are on the verge of despair because they are constantly fighting with their siblings. That's the way it is a special challenge. But we can be reached 24 hours a day, that helps - but there aren't many children in Germany. "
CDU Education Minister Anja Karliczek and SPD Family Minister Franziska Giffey promised on Wednesday money for a "catch-up program" for additional tutoring and support for particularly needy students. A children's leisure bonus of 100 euros for children from poor families is also planned. Politicians assume that a good quarter of pupils are clearly behind in learning due to the school closings. Part of the two billion euros from the program is to flow this year. But Bernd Siggelkow doesn't do it fast enough, he has his own suggestion.
Bernd Siggelkow, Childcare Center Arche: "Teacher trainee students in the school system. I have been demanding this for months in order to support the children who have been left behind, to support the teachers and to support the parents who urgently need help Repeat class to keep up. So it is said that packages are needed that are being put together now for today and not for tomorrow. And I think that is a bit of a problem with our politics that they are not even aware of it. what happens on site, what happens in the hot spots? "
Siggelkow and his team reach more than 4,000 children and young people at over 25 locations nationwide. Politicians promise financial support - what exactly aid organizations like the Arche do with it to cushion the plight of the little ones is then up to them.
