Cologne – September 7, 2026 -- Roughly 170,000 children in North Rhine-Westphalia are starting school this year, and German broadcaster WDR is rolling out a package of free educational content through its long-running children's brand "Die Maus" to help them adjust.
The Maus website offers school-starter materials in six languages
Parents and teachers can access craft activities, puzzles, coloring pages, and ABC letter-learning films on the Maus website in German, Turkish, Polish, Ukrainian, Arabic, and Russian. A feature called "Maus-Schul-Weltreise" shows how children attend school in other countries, while a series of factual segments answers everyday questions about school life.
Content covers coding, AI, and democracy alongside emotional skills
Beyond academics, the platform includes material explaining how programming works, what artificial intelligence is, and how democracy functions in daily life. Additional content addresses feelings, friendships, and conflict resolution, with educator Inke Hummel answering common questions on the site's companion "Elefantenseite" page. Craft sets, stickers, and tie-in videos round out the offering.
A new live morning radio show debuts September 2
WDR's MausRadio launches "Die Maus am Morgen – der allerallerbeste Start in den Tag," a live weekday program airing 6 to 8 a.m., Monday through Friday, starting September 2. The show features music, kid-friendly news updates, and interactive segments where children send in voice messages and questions for the studio.
Segments include wake-up songs, stretching routines, and a timed "dressing challenge" set to music, designed to ease stressful mornings for families. Two recurring features, "Das kann ich jetzt" and "Heute wird ein schöner Tag," let kids share personal milestones and things they're looking forward to.
Dorothee Schwab, the editor responsible for MausRadio, said current events are a fixed part of the new show. "Our MausNachrichten are short, understandable, and point to solutions," she said, adding that the goal is to help children make sense of news and discussions.
WDR Director General Dr. Katrin Vernau described the offerings as part of the broadcaster's contribution to education and equal opportunity across North Rhine-Westphalia.