Writing a specialist paper for educators: structure, tips & 10 free specialist paper topics

Kita-Job Agentur
Jun 1
6 min read

Depending on the federal state, training to become a kindergarten teacher usually begins in the summer or fall and generally lasts three years – two years of school-based training with integrated internships and one year of professional internship. Right at the beginning of their training, many trainees hear about the so-called "specialized thesis" that must be written toward the end.

This often triggers uncertainty or even anxiety: What exactly is it about? How extensive will it be? And how can you manage it alongside your internship and exam preparation? Indeed, many prospective educators report feeling overwhelmed before writing it – but with proper preparation, good templates, and a clear plan, the thesis is a manageable task – and can even be fun.

For many prospective educators, the term paper is a central component of their training – and a real challenge. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to intensively explore a topic of their choice and broaden their pedagogical horizons.

In this article, you'll find a clear roadmap for writing your thesis as a preschool teacher , useful practical tips, and 10 free preschool thesis topics for inspiration. We've included a comprehensive guide to preschool thesis writing in PDF format , which can help you write your own thesis correctly.

What is a specialist paper in teacher training?

The term paper is a mandatory component of the final examination for state-certified educators (Section 7 of the AVO). The goal is to explore a topic from your own practice with academic depth. The grade directly contributes to the final grade.

It pursues three main objectives:

Formulate a concrete question from practice
These can be addressed using theoretical models and specialist literature
Establish a clear practical relevance

The thesis is usually written toward the end of the school-based training phase , usually in the final year of training – often between January and May , depending on the respective federal state and educational provider. It is then submitted a few weeks before the practical examination or internship and is a key component for obtaining state recognition . The exact submission deadline is set by the technical college and is binding. Therefore, careful scheduling is crucial.

How does the specialist work process work?

Topic selection & approval : You propose a topic – often based on a specific practical relevance. This topic is then formally approved by your supervising teacher or lecturer. You are often required to submit an outline or a brief description of the topic with a pedagogical justification.
Supervision phase & timeframe : After approval, you have between 6 and 12 weeks to complete your thesis, depending on the school . During this phase, you can (and should) take advantage of regular consultation appointments with your supervisor.
Submission : The thesis must be submitted on time – usually in multiple printed copies. Some schools also require a digital version (PDF).
Assessment & Presentation : In many federal states, an oral presentation or defense of the work is part of the assessment.

Who chooses the topic for the thesis?

In principle, you develop your topic yourself – often based on your practical experience or interests. However, you will be guided by your college or lecturers, and the topic must be realistic, relevant, and professionally sound. You will write the thesis independently but will receive professional support .

Is there a PDF template for the thesis?

No, there is no standardized template nationwide , but most schools provide a leaflet with formal guidelines (e.g., regarding line spacing, citation style, page numbers, and a table of contents). There are also tried-and-tested structures and layouts you can use. If you need a ready-to-use Word or PDF template, we'd be happy to provide you with a sample document.

Structure of a specialist work for educators

A good academic paper follows a classic scientific structure:

Title page : Information about the author, educational institution, topic, submission date
Table of contents
Introduction : Topic, motivation, goal & structure (approx. 1–1.5 pages)
Main part : Theoretical work & practical part with reflection
Conclusion : Findings, evaluation, outlook
Bibliography
Declaration of independence
Appendix (optional) : observations, questionnaires, etc.

You can find out more about the structure in our guide for the term paper in pdf format.

Not only the structure is crucial, but also the quality of the content. The thesis should generally be between 10 and 15 pages of pure text – depending on the requirements of the respective technical school. It is important that all formal requirements (e.g., 1.5 line spacing; 12pt font size; justified text; proper citation) are met. In terms of content, you are expected to develop a relevant question , provide sound technical arguments , critically reflect on your findings , and establish a clear connection to practice . An independent approach and a structured writing style also play a key role in the assessment.

This means: Even if your school gives you a guideline, depending on the depth and methodological breadth, it may be advisable to plan for a significantly larger scope—especially for larger practical projects with children, group work, or the development of your own materials. It's important that you maintain the structure , link practice and theory meaningfully , and reflect systematically . The thesis should also meet academic standards (e.g., correct citation, logical structure, clear research questions) and demonstrate an independent pedagogical approach .

7 tips for a successful thesis

Start with practice : Choose a topic that draws from your own experience—ideally from your practical work at a daycare center or your professional internship. The closer the topic is to you, the more authentic and reflective your writing will be. Your own observations and experiences provide a valuable foundation for meaningfully combining theory and practice.
Formulate a clear central question : A good research paper stands or falls with its central question. So think carefully about what you want to discover, demonstrate, or prove with your work. This question should be precise, open, and practical – for example: "How does free play influence the social behavior of preschool children?" The central question is the common thread throughout your work.
Outline early on : A structured outline will help you write and ensure your ideas are clear. Create a rough outline as early as possible, with chapters and subsections into which you organize your content. Many changes will occur during the writing process anyway – but a good outline will give you confidence and direction from the start.
Diversity of sources is key : Use a variety of sources to support your statements. In addition to classic textbooks, you can also draw on academic journals, daycare concepts, curriculums, or interviews. However, make sure to cite your sources correctly and always be factual and balanced. As a rule of thumb, your work should be supported by at least five to ten reputable sources.
Combine theory and practice : A successful thesis consists not only of theory but also demonstrates how the knowledge is applied in a concrete way. For example, describe a project, an intervention, or an observation from practice and link it to pedagogical approaches or scientific models. This creates real added value – and you demonstrate that you can apply what you have learned in everyday life.
Avoid plagiarism : Copying from the internet or books without citing the source is not only unfair, but also a disqualification. Therefore, learn how to cite correctly early on—with footnotes or in APA style, depending on your school's requirements. Express your thoughts in your own words and always correctly cite direct quotations. This demonstrates academic competence and avoids unpleasant consequences.
Get feedback : You don't have to complete your thesis all by yourself. Ask your supervising teacher or your supervisor early on for feedback on the structure, key question, or raw text. Classmates can also help you proofread, for example, to identify linguistic ambiguities or gaps. Take advantage of this support—feedback improves almost every assignment!

10 free specialist work topics for educators

Here you'll find 10 topics for specialist papers for educators. All are ideal for specialist papers with a practical focus:

The importance of attachment and relationships in early childhood
Montessori pedagogy: principles and practice compared to Fröbel pedagogy
Participation in daycare – children as active contributors
Digital media in early childhood – opportunities and risks
Grief work with children – dealing with loss in daycare
Language support for children with a migration background
Inclusion in daycare – challenges and solutions
Nature education and forest kindergartens in comparison
Non-violent communication in daycare practice
Co-construction as an approach to promoting children's learning processes

Tip: When choosing a topic, pay attention to personal relevance, feasibility, and availability of literature.

💡 3 tips on how AI can support you in your thesis

Artificial intelligence like ChatGPT can help you tremendously with your academic work— if you know how to use it correctly . Here are three proven tips:

Have your wording improved: You can have paragraphs stylistically revised or linguistically adjusted – for example, to be more factual, shorter, or more understandable.
Generate outline suggestions: If you don't yet know how to structure your work, AI can give you ideas for a suitable structure – tailored to your topic.
Get feedback on clarity and logic: ChatGPT can help you review sections for clarity, consistency, and factual style.

⚠️ Important: AI is a tool, not a replacement! Your personal reflection, experience, and pedagogical knowledge are the core of your thesis.

📘 In our “ Guide to the creation of the specialist paper in educator training ” you will find not only help with structuring and formulation tips but also a separate chapter on the professional use of ChatGPT – including prompts and practical examples.