My wish is for all children to overcome any possible boundaries in learning, reading, writing and arithmetic so that they can fully exploit their creative potential. I want children and adolescents to develop confidence in their own resources and to be able to use them confidently in their learning environments. This not only helps every child or adolescent to lead a self-determined life but is also a tremendous gain for us all. And it is above all this creativity within all children and adolescents that I cherish so dearly!
My first (professional) love was for art and its endless creative opportunities. I put my heart and soul into the study of art history at home and abroad and then went on to derive great pleasure in working in the domain of interculturalism at university. Over a number of years I have lived in different countries and understood how important language is for learning. Through my three children, I have increasingly shifted the focus of my learning to children’s education. In order to combine intercultural aspects and creativity with education, I have studied German as a Second Language at the Goethe-Institut and Study coaching at Universität Hamburg. At KREISEL e.V. in Hamburg, I was then able to complete the training course in Integrative Learning Therapy.
I have learnt my practical tools from the best possible sources: over a period of four years I was able to sit in on an international preparation class conducted by an experienced educator at a grammar school. This enabled me to gather a great deal of experience with a large number of world languages and cultures that were all present in Hamburg. For two further years, I then managed the remedial language courses at a primary school together with a very experienced colleague. For a number of years now, I have been working in language development and as a freelance learning therapist at a primary school in Hamburg with years 1-4.
The arts and its forms of visual expression still play a special role in my educational and therapeutic work. For example, I also worked in the team entitled “Bildung und Vermittlung” [Education and Communication] on enabling children and adolescents to develop their creativity through access to art and artistic activities. An awareness of their own abilities and creativity allows pupils to adopt a more positive approach when facing the possible challenges imposed by school, the written language and learning as a whole.
Ultimately, another circle has been closed in my own learning biography: through my work in the training team for the Kiel Model study coaching course at the University of Hamburg's Centre for Continuing Education, I am now able to work in adult education again and pass on my knowledge and experience in the field of study coaching to prospective learning coaches from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
I have had the opportunity to share my expertise in integrative learning therapy and study coaching in various media outlets. These contributions not only highlight approaches to supporting children and adolescent but also provide insight into my personal learning journey. The following articles and interviews offer a deeper look into my work and philosophy – always with the goal of making learning individualized, sustainable and – most of all – enjoyable.
Lerntherapeutin über viele Geschenke zu Weihnachten: „Oft sind die Kinder darüber gar nicht so glücklich“
Veröffentlichung 12/2023
Wie wir unsere versteckten Talente entdecken – und für Job und Alltag nutzen
Veröffentlichung 11/2023
Das Leben hat mir einen Impuls gegeben
Quellen: Das Leben hat mir einen neuen Impuls gegeben: Carola Kleinschmidt, in: Brigitte, 17.8.2022
Postgraduate qualification in Art History from Kiel University (CAU); completion of the further education course in Deutsch als Zweitsprache [German as a Second Language] for primary and secondary school levels of the Goethe-Institut; further education programme Inklusive Bildung [Inclusive Education] at University of Hildesheim; academic training in Museums Studies: Bildung und Vermittlung im Museum [Education and Communication in Museums] at University of Freiburg; Qualification from Universität Hamburg: Systemisches Lerncoaching Kieler Modell [Study coaching using the Kiel model];, KREISELlerntherapeutin, Dyslexietherapeutin BVL®, Dyskalkulietherapeutin BVL®, trainer Marburg Concentration Training, Marburger Verhaltenstraining, Certificate Therapeutisches Zaubern® [Annalisa Neumeyer], Lerncoach Master, Farida Tlili, Berlin.