Kitas and Schools - Mute Fox
Despite its resemblance to the controversial Wolf's Salute, there are no plans to ban the calming "hush-frog" gesture in North Rhine-Westphalian kindergartens and schools. In order to effectively use this gesture in primary school instruction, teachers would have to explain its meaning beforehand, according to the Düsseldorf Ministry of Education. "The likelihood of confusion with the Wolf's Salute in a school context is rather unlikely."
The same applies to the family ministry in the early childhood sector. Here, the so-called "listening fox" or "whispering fox" is a pedagogical strategy to encourage children, for example, to be quiet during morning or circle time. In practice, this gesture is often accompanied by a finger on the lips in kindergartens and schools to clearly indicate the meaning of the sign.
Discussions about the Wolf's Salute shown during the European Championship were of societal relevance and could appropriately be made a topic in further education institutions during the summer holidays. Previously, there had been media reports that the city of Bremen wanted to ban the hush-frog sign from kindergartens and schools due to its resemblance to the Wolf's Salute. However, there is no ban in place there.
The Wolf's Salute involves forming the thumbs, middle, and ring fingers into a sort of snout, while the index and little fingers form something like ears. The salute typically expresses allegiance or sympathy with the Turkish ultranationalist Ülkücü movement and its ideology.
The gesture caused a stir during the Football European Championship because a Turkish national player used it in celebration. The hush-frog sign, on the other hand, is intended to establish a quiet group or learning situation in kindergartens and schools.
- Recent discussions about the use of the Wolf's Salute in sports have raised concerns, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, where right-wing extremists sometimes use it as a symbol of ideology.
- Despite these concerns, there are no plans to ban the "hush-frog" gesture in kindergartens or schools across Germany, including those in North Rhine-Westphalia, due to its distinct purpose and meaning.
- In contrast to the Wolf's Salute, the hush-frog sign is employed by teachers in Düsseldorf schools to create a conducive learning environment, ensuring children understand the importance of quietness during lessons or group activities.
- While the Wolf's Salute has negative associations, associated with extremist groups and ideologies, the hush-frog sign maintains a positive influence in North Rhine-Westphalia's kindergartens and schools, fostering a calm and focused learning atmosphere.
