From this the light is derived as a sign of baptism.

From this the light is derived as a sign of baptism.

"These drinks are particularly problematic for children and young people" warned study leader Reiner Hanewinkel from IFT Nord. "They’re high in caffeine, extremely sweetened, and full of synthetic additives."

Many also try alcohol and drugs

Schoolchildren also come into contact with alcohol and cannabis at an early age. Almost 60 percent report experience with alcohol. While it is 22 percent for fifth graders, this figure increases to 89 percent by tenth grade. Cannabis is not quite as widespread: a total of 13 percent of those surveyed have already tried cannabis – 29 percent of the tenth graders.

The poor diet is also noticeable

On the other hand, many students have poor diets. Only around half eat fruit or vegetables every day. By contrast, 41 percent eat sweet snacks every day. A quarter also has fast food on the menu several times a week or even more often.

According to the study, those who eat together with the family regularly eat healthier: The students consume fruit and vegetables more regularly, eat fast food less often and are also less likely to be overweight.

DAK boss Andreas Storm called for a school subject health. "Students can solve complex math problems and speak English fluently, but they do not know how harmful sugar and long periods of sitting are" explained Storm.

Schoolchildren are already stressed from commuting

Commuting is often stressful. A recent study by the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences shows that this even negatively affects schoolchildren. She surveys around 10,000 schoolchildren in 14 federal states every year. In the school year 2016/17, the focus was on getting to school: According to this, young people need an average of 27 minutes to get to school. Most of them (30 percent) take between ten and 20 minutes, but around 15 percent take 45 minutes or longer. 14 percent need less than ten minutes.

Young people who have to walk a long way to school complain more often of psychological problems, turkish asian women explains the head of the study, Prof. Andreas Klocke. Almost 30 percent of students who walk a long way to school have concentration problems more than one day a week. For children with a short way to school (less than ten minutes) it is 23 percent.

In addition, young people who have to travel a shorter distance are on average more satisfied with their health. While 83 percent of them rate their state of health as very good or good, the value for young people with a long journey to school is 77 percent.

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Sources: – dpa, afp – own research

If children show bite and passion for something, that is not a bad thing. But when does ambition threaten to become too much? "When the desire to be the best overshadows everything else" explains Ulric Ritzer-Sachs from the online advice service of the Federal Conference for Educational Advice.

Too ambitious children: when parents should take countermeasures

When parents notice that their child is often sad about school, neglecting his friends and only learning, adults should take countermeasures and explain to the child again and again: "We are satisfied with you as you are. Your life is not over if you are not among the best."

If the child is overly ambitious, parents should ask themselves two things. First, are we promoting the whole thing? This can be the case, for example, when the mother or father praises their child excessively for the smallest things and thus does not learn to correctly assess its own performance. And second: What demands do I make of myself? Anyone who has got their nerves because the cake was not perfect is not the best role model. Instead, parents should calmly endure their own failures and make the best of them.

"What I’ve done is enough"

In fact, it takes practice and support for children to feel: "What I’ve done is enough – even if others can do it better." Parents can help.

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Parents can also offer support if their offspring lacks the necessary motivation. You can, for example, arouse healthy ambition with these tips. Are you on Facebook? Become a fan of "t-online.de family" and join in the discussion!

Communion is the next big step for Catholic children after baptism. During the Mass they receive the Eucharist for the first time. But the way to get there is long: In preparation, the children are taught in detail about this event in a First Communion course, they learn a lot and have numerous new experiences.

Initiation celebrations: communion, confirmation and youth consecration
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Invitation and registration for the course

When a child is in third grade, they usually receive an invitation from their home church to attend a Communion class. The congregation invites children and parents to a first preparatory meeting in which the procedure and the timing are explained. Parents fill out a registration form for their children. It is especially important to document baptism. If a child is not baptized in the home parish and this is not noted in the church registers there, the parents must submit the corresponding baptism certificate. 

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Believing together – communion group lessons

Group lessons take place in the First Communion course over a period of several months as preparation. They are led by the pastor and parents – the table mothers or table fathers – and bring the children closer to important questions of faith. According to the portal "catholic.de" the children should also be given space to address their own questions and ideas about faith. Course participants are also prepared for their first confession, which must be made before first communion.

With baptism, Christians accept the child into the community of those who trust in Jesus Christ. Seven baptismal symbols accompany this custom. Learn more about the symbols of water and light here.

Initiation celebrations: communion, confirmation and youth consecration
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Water gives life

The most prominent baptismal symbol is water, as it is the element of life – without water, no life would be possible on earth. It can not only give life, but also take it and stir up fear. After all, man can drown in it. Hence, water at baptism is twofold: both the symbol of life and death. But it also stands for renewal, purification and liberation of previous sins. A deacon or priest pours holy water over the child and says the words: "I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." This act expresses that the life-giving power of God is absorbed by the child – he becomes the child of God himself. In the past, the person to be baptized was even submerged with the whole body. This should establish the relationship with Jesus Christ. The immersion stood for his death, the emergence for his resurrection. (Almonds as gifts for baptized guests)

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The baptismal symbol light shows the way

With the handing over of the baptismal candle, the message of Jesus applies: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12. From this the light is derived as a sign of baptism. It stands for orientation and shines on the path of the baptized. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany explains the handing over of the candle by stating that the child should always be reminded of the day of baptism and of God. (Birth Festival: An Alternative to Baptism)

Boys and girls must be baptized beforehand for confirmation. Participation in confirmation classes is also possible without being baptized. Parents do not have to be members of the Church themselves.

Initiation celebrations: communion, confirmation and youth consecration
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Not all parents get their children baptized

It used to be the custom to have a child baptized after birth. However, many parents have since given up this ritual. The possible reasons for this are varied: Sometimes father and mother belong to different denominations. Or they do not want to patronize their child, but later leave them to choose their own beliefs. In practice, therefore, it often happens that girls and boys of confirmation age are not baptized.

If the question is now asked whether a confirmation is still possible, the answer is no. Because with the confirmation it is not only about the entry into the church adulthood, but also about a confirmation of the baptism. It is therefore only logical that a person should first be baptized before confirmation.

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Without baptism for confirmation class

Adolescents who have not been baptized can also take confirmation classes. Here you will get to know the core of the Christian faith and the most important prayers. At the age of 14, girls and boys are of legal age and can therefore freely decide on their religion. Confirmation classes provide them with the theoretical tools they need to make an informed decision about belonging to a religious community.

Celebrate baptism and confirmation together

If, while attending church classes, the young people come to the conclusion that they want to be confirmed, then this is possible even if they are not baptized. The baptism is then at the end of the lesson and is often carried out directly before the subsequent confirmation.

Strictly speaking, this is no longer necessary, because baptism was the young person’s free will. In practice, however, confirmation usually also takes place after the baptism.

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Baptism in adults has the same meaning as baptism in children: it means entry into the religious community of Christians and the manifestation of belonging to Jesus Christ. Find out what happens when an adult is baptized.

Initiation celebrations: communion, confirmation and youth consecration
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Advice from clergy

Adults who want to be baptized are prepared for baptism in seminars by clergy of the respective church. With the Catholics it is priests who take care of the adults, with the Protestant churches it is the pastors. In the talks and seminars, you as candidates for baptism – and thus for entry into the Christian community of faith – will be brought closer to the traditions of faith.