Summary
Highlights
Tobias decides to experience the world from a child's perspective for seven days, leaving his 1.83m height to explore the world of the small. He enters a kindergarten in Otterndorf, where 130 children attend daily, aiming to understand their lives, their views on the adult world, and what he can learn from them.
In the children's world, time revolves around meals: before, during, and after eating. Tobias observes a unique eating ritual and notes the unusual food combinations like rice with a strange brown sausage sauce, and later, woodruff jelly and whole-grain pasta with vanilla sauce. He also notices that children's conversations are often nebulous but easily sparked by tiny details, leading to imaginative "thought fireworks" that quickly fade.
Tobias discovers that children's rules are incredibly complex yet allow for generous interpretation. They play games like 'Schnick Schnack Schnuck' with a peculiar rock-paper-scissors dynamic where 'fire' always wins. He learns that the main rule in their world is 'no hitting' or doing anything that causes pain, even karate. This playful chaos helps them burn off their energetic meals.
Even in kindergarten, sensitive topics arise. A child shares a chilling story about a bus accident, leading to discussions about death. Another child talks about their deceased grandma watching from heaven and wishing for a giant slide from heaven to earth. They also discuss God, with one child humorously suggesting God cooks hot dogs and pork sausages on clouds.
Tobias observes a 'baking day' where children make cakes from sand. They explain that adults forbid them from baking with real ingredients in kindergarten, saving it only for home birthdays. Children find joy and pride in their sand cakes, showcasing the power of imagination and role-playing, even when real ingredients are off-limits.
Children have surprising insights into adult habits. One child warns against drinking too much coffee, claiming it causes stomach aches and flatulence, and explains how pregnant bellies expand and contract. This highlights their observations and attempts to make sense of the adult world. Tobias also notes that a day in kindergarten feels like three adult days, emphasizing the stretched perception of time in childhood.
Tobias reflects on how children live entirely in the moment, easily forgetting disappointments and enjoying the 'here and now'. He contrasts this with adults who strive for mindfulness through yoga and seminars. He questions when adults lose this innate ability to be present.
During conversations about toys, children proudly list their numerous possessions like Popstar Barbies, horses, and various dolls. This leads Tobias to realize that even in adulthood, the concept of 'what you have' can define a person. Later, a child describes being in love, connecting it to a boy with a farm, calves, and a dog, showing how practical and emotional elements intertwine in their understanding of affection.
Tobias discusses sensitive topics like parental separation with a child, who explains that her parents separated because they fought and no longer loved each other. She shares how her father visits her since her mother lives with her brother, demonstrating a basic understanding of complex family dynamics. He also learns about the joy of learning, as a child eagerly anticipates reading in school and mentions learning math from a friend.
After his week among children, Tobias summarizes his key learnings: sand cakes can be as good as real ones, love is exciting, especially with a farm involved, and even death can be overcome with a giant slide. He ponders when adults lose their childlike perspective and how to retain some of that wonder in the adult world.