Hi. I greet you in the digital style of the 21st century.
If you were to visit me in my real home, I would open the door and say: “It’s great that you’re here! I’m happy to see you!” I would invite you to come in and offer you a drink. We would chat and not notice how quickly time flies.
Well, feel welcome to visit my virtual home, look around, leave and come back again.
You might be wondering who is behind this blog, who I am?
My name is Nikolinka, or Nina for short. I am the wife of a fabulous man, the daughter of a strong Bulgarian family, a happy sister and sister-in-law, and a proud aunt.
What is my profession? I am an early childhood educator and work in the company of young children and their parents. We play and work hard, we learn with joy and have big dreams. That’s what my everyday work life is all about.
When I am among children, I feel like I am in a unique yet diverse magic garden that grows, unfolds, and blossoms in liveliness, movement, spontaneity, laughter, wonder, honesty, and joy throughout all the seasons.
I spent many years away from my birthplace in Bulgaria. During this time, I realized: Being away from home strengthens the power of precious childhood memories (of people, things and places) and increasingly influences my personal and pedagogical attitude, my thinking and actions.
After years of professional growth and metamorphosis, and after months of rethinking trends in early childhood education in Germany, I founded my small private studio for early childhood education in Saarbrücken. Format: Parent-child courses as individual or group sessions.
The Happinest. It is a play on words. And a tribute to the origins combining authenticity and playfulness.
I look at The Happinest as a celebration of my cultural heritage, my family, friends, all children, parents and colleagues who have been part of my personal and professional journey in Germany. I owe a lot to these people in the realization of my project. My thoughts always embrace them. And I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for all the exciting, emotional, challenging, and beautiful moments we shared where life’s path brought us together.
The Happinest is more than a space for early childhood educational courses. It is my attitude and my voice that always actively advocated the implementation of high-quality care and education in German daycare facilities (Kitas). Because every child matters.
The name represents my professional commitment and self-image as an educator to always strive for: Create and cultivate wonderful play moments and joyful learning experiences for young children. Because happy children = happy parents = happy children.
And so, I felt it was time for a new direction in my professional calling. If I am in Saarbrücken, then I want to use the opportunity to give something back to the community of parents and children in this city and the surrounding area.
The Happinest: Parent-Child-Courses – CREATED for CHILDREN, INSPIRED by CHILDREN.
I believe that early childhood education can and should be a power for good; a power that can positively impact the youngest students. Because they will one day replace us and be the designers, thinkers, and inventors of tomorrow’s world.
In that spirit, may we begin working today to create a different world. May we be present, do good, spread love, be role models, and create joyful moments and memories for all the children around us.
„Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.“ (Desmond Tutu)
By the way, in addition to the first parent-child-course, I have also collected some simple play and learn activity ideas. I will share them little by little later. It is all about elevating the simple everyday moments of children’s living and playing and turning them into joy- and wonderful learning experiences.
My Happinest is here to share goodness and love, and to promote and strengthen the individual personality development of every young child entrusted to my classes.
Meet you soon back here.
With love and gratitude
Nina
