All news at a glance

Long winter evenings invite you to snuggle up at home and immerse yourself in other worlds while reading together with your children. We have put together some tips for parents and exciting interviews for you that show how valuable reading aloud is for your child's development. Discover new ideas for reading time and: Read along!

Foster families offer children in difficult life situations a loving, safe environment - sometimes for a limited time, sometimes permanently. Anyone who wants to take this responsible step faces many questions. You can now find all the important information, tips, advice centers and contact persons under the topic "Adoption & foster families".

About one in ten women in Germany is affected by endometriosis - a chronic, often painful disease that is still too little known. A new brochure now provides easy-to-understand information about symptoms, causes and support services.

A research project at the OWL Faculty of Medicine at Bielefeld University is investigating how much time 1- to 3-year-old children spend outdoors and where and how they come into contact with the natural environment. By taking part, you are helping to advance research into nature behavior and its influence on health.

Online voting is now open for the Audience Award of the Engagement Prize NRW 2025. Twelve projects from all over NRW show how diverse volunteering is - from offers for children and young people to social and cultural initiatives.

North Rhine-Westphalia wants to further strengthen quality and stability in child daycare. To this end, the state cabinet has adopted key points for a reform of the Child Education Act (KiBiz). The plans include less bureaucracy, more flexible structures, a personnel offensive and long-term financial stabilization.

On September 20, 2025, the Ministry of Family Affairs is inviting foster parents from all over NRW to Düsseldorf. Together with Family Minister Josefine Paul, the aim is to share experiences, talk to each other and focus on the needs of foster families.

From September 1 to 5, 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia will be hosting Education Support Week. Various campaigns and events will draw attention to the wide range of services that support children, young people and families in difficult situations.

What issues are important to families in North Rhine-Westphalia? We would like to find out from you. That's why there is a new survey every month on the Familienportal.NRW.

The current flash survey is about starting school: What did your family want most? Take part in it!

Did you know that around 10% of all children are left-handed? 
On today's Left-handed Day, parents can find practical tips on the Familienportal.NRW on how to support their child in everyday life.

In 2023, around 6,000 girls and young women between the ages of 10 and 17 had to be treated in hospital for anorexia or bulimia - twice as many as in 2003.
On the Familienportal.NRW, you can find out how eating disorders develop, what the warning signs are and where families can find support.

Many parents know this: Falling asleep and staying asleep can be a challenge, especially in toddlerhood. Every child has their own pace.
On the Familienportal.NRW you will find helpful tips and calming evening routines that can help children to calm down and develop a healthy sleep rhythm.