School holidays are here. No classroom, no daily routine, no rush. Many teaching assistants (people who support children with special needs in school) are asking themselves: what should I do with this free time?
The answer is straightforward: use the holidays for professional development. Right now is the perfect moment. You have time, you have space, and you can learn at your own pace.
In this article, you will find out why online training during the school holidays makes so much sense. You will also discover which topics matter most. And you will get concrete recommendations on where to start.
Why the School Holidays Are the Best Time for Professional Development
During the school year, teaching assistants are fully occupied. You are always there for others. There is rarely time left for yourself.
The holidays change that. Suddenly you have breathing room. You can step back and reflect. And you can invest in yourself.
Online learning fits perfectly into this phase. You learn when you want. You learn where you want. No fixed schedule, no commute, no classroom required.
If you want to get started right away, Diingu offers a free introductory course: Fundamentals of School Accompaniment. This course is ideal for newcomers and career changers.
The Benefits of Learning During the Holidays
| Benefit | What it means |
|---|---|
| Flexible timing | No students means free time slots for learning |
| Location independence | Learn from home, on holiday, or in a café |
| Your own pace | No external pressure or fixed timetable |
| Direct practical relevance | Apply what you learn as soon as school starts again |
| Mental distance and reflection | Time away from the daily routine helps new knowledge sink in |
Why Qualifications Matter More Than Ever Right Now
The demand for well-trained teaching assistants is growing. This is not just an impression. It is backed by data.
The German Education Report 2026 (an official government report on the state of the education system) identifies the shortage of qualified professionals as one of the biggest challenges facing schools today [2]. Inclusion (the principle of educating children with and without disabilities together) is placing ever-higher demands on everyone involved.
Across Germany, an estimated more than 100,000 educational professionals are missing in school-age childcare alone [3]. With the legal right to full-day care (every child's entitlement to a full-day school place) coming into effect in 2026, this gap is widening further [3].
The message is clear: well-qualified teaching assistants are urgently needed. Those who invest in their skills now will strengthen their professional standing. And they will be better equipped to support the children in their care.
Many Teaching Assistants Are Career Changers
A significant proportion of people working as teaching assistants have no formal educational background [5]. They come from other professions. They bring enthusiasm and life experience, but sometimes lack specialist knowledge.
That is not a problem. It is a starting point. Online learning bridges that gap, step by step, at your own pace.
The Diingu course Legal Foundations is a great example. It explains the legal framework of your work in plain language. What am I allowed to do? What are my responsibilities? Which laws apply to me? These questions are answered clearly and practically.
Teaching Assistants in After-School Care and Holiday Programmes
Many teaching assistants are not aware of this: the entitlement to a teaching assistant does not only apply during lessons. It can also extend to after-school care (supervised programmes for children after the school day ends) and in some cases even during the school holidays [1].
This means your role may be broader than you think. And with a broader role come broader responsibilities.
The holidays are the ideal time to prepare for these extended areas of work.
Which Topics Are Most Important?
As a teaching assistant, you encounter many different situations. Children with autism (a developmental condition that affects communication and social interaction), children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a condition affecting attention and impulse control), children with depression or other challenges.
Every child is different. Every situation is different. That is why broad knowledge is so valuable.
Getting Started: Foundations
For those who are new to the role or want to refresh their foundational knowledge:
- Fundamentals of School Accompaniment: What is my role? What are my responsibilities? Go to course
- Legal Foundations: Which laws apply? What are my rights and duties? Go to course
- Child Safeguarding (recognising and reporting situations where a child may be at risk): Go to course
Understanding Mental Health Conditions
Many teaching assistants support children with mental health conditions or developmental differences. Understanding these conditions helps you respond appropriately and empathetically.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: Go to course
- AD(H)D: Go to course
- Depressive Disorders: Go to course
- Conduct Disorder (when children have persistent difficulties following social rules): Go to course
- Social Phobia (an intense fear of social situations): Go to course
- Selective Mutism (when children are unable to speak in certain situations despite being able to do so in others): Go to course
Communication, Self-Care and Professional Growth
Working as a teaching assistant is emotionally demanding. You are close to the children. You witness difficult moments. You act as a bridge between teachers, parents and authorities [4].
That is why looking after yourself matters. Self-care (consciously attending to your own health and wellbeing) is not a luxury. It is a foundation for doing good work.
- Self-Care for Teaching Assistants: Go to course
- Foundations of Communication and Conflict Resolution: Go to course
- Protective and Risk Factors in Childhood and Adolescence: Go to course
- Foundations of Self-Reflection (exploring your own role and professional behaviour): Go to course
- Dealing with Bullying: Go to course
- First Aid Basics: Go to course
Practical Tips: How to Make the Most of Holiday Learning
Here are some simple tips to help your holiday learning actually work:
- Schedule fixed learning times. For example, one hour every morning. This stops learning from being left to chance.
- Start with a topic that genuinely interests you. Motivation comes more easily when the subject feels relevant.
- Take notes. Write down what you learn. It helps you remember and reflect.
- Connect learning to your work. After each course, ask yourself: how can I apply this in practice?
- Do not overwhelm yourself. One course per week is better than five at once.
- Share what you learn. Tell colleagues about new insights. Teaching others reinforces your own understanding.
How Much Time Do You Need?
The good news about Diingu's online courses: they are designed to be completed in short sessions. You do not need whole days. Even 30 to 60 minutes a day is enough to make real progress over the holidays.
Physical Disabilities and Chronic Conditions
Some teaching assistants support children with physical disabilities or chronic conditions (long-term health conditions that affect daily life). Diingu also offers courses in this area:
- Physical Disabilities and Chronic Conditions: Go to course
- Intellectual Disabilities: Go to course
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (a metabolic condition in which the body does not produce insulin): Go to course
The Pool Model: A Growing Approach in School Support
The pool model (an approach where one teaching assistant supports several children at the same time rather than just one) is becoming increasingly common in Germany. It changes the nature of the role significantly.
If you want to understand this model and what it means for your work, Diingu has a dedicated course: The Pool Model in School Accompaniment.
A Global Trend: Online Learning for School Support Professionals
This is not just a German phenomenon. Internationally, the role of the teaching assistant is also evolving rapidly. In 2026, there is a clear global trend towards flexible, self-paced online learning for school support professionals [6]. The need for accessible, affordable qualifications is recognised worldwide.
This confirms that investing in your skills during the holidays is not just a smart personal decision. It is part of a broader professional movement.
Conclusion: Now Is the Time
The holidays are an opportunity. An opportunity that many people do not take. And yet it is so straightforward.
You do not need a classroom. You do not need an expensive qualification programme. You just need a device with internet access and the willingness to learn something new.
Online learning during the school holidays is not a sacrifice of rest. It is an investment in yourself. And in the children you support.
The skills shortage is real [4, 5]. Expectations are rising. But you can start the new school year well prepared. One step at a time.
Related Training at Diingu
Diingu offers free introductory courses for teaching assistants. All courses are online, flexible and grounded in real practice. Here are the best starting points for the holidays:
- Fundamentals of School Accompaniment - Perfect for getting started
- Legal Foundations - Understand your legal framework
- Child Safeguarding - An essential topic for everyone in the role
- Self-Care for Teaching Assistants - Look after yourself so you can look after others
- Autism Spectrum Disorder - Deepen your specialist knowledge
- Foundations of Communication and Conflict Resolution - For everyday work with teachers and parents
Explore all courses at diingu.app.
Sources and Further Reading
[1] Meine Begleithilfe - School Accompaniment in After-School Care and Holidays: Your Rights (March 2026) - https://meine-begleithilfe.de/schulbegleitung/schulbegleitung-hort-ogs-ferien/
[2] BMBF/BMBFSFJ - Education Report 2026: Equal Opportunities and Securing the Skilled Workforce Remain Central Tasks (15 June 2026) - https://www.bmbfsfj.bund.de/bmbfsfj/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/bildungsbericht-2026-chancengerechtigkeit-und-fachkraeftesicherung-bleiben-zentrale-aufgaben-289888
[3] Leuchtturm Akademie - Skills Shortage in School-Age Childcare: Causes and Solutions (March 2026) - https://www.leuchtturmakademie.de/fachkraeftemangel-schulkindbetreuung/
[4] SBH - Qualification as Integration Support in Schools (July 2026) - https://s-b-h.de/bildungsangebot/produkte/integrationsbegleiter-schule-schulbegleiter
[5] Starke Schultern - Becoming a School Companion in 2026: Requirements and Career Change Options - https://starkeschultern.com/faq/schulbegleiter-voraussetzungen
[6] KMK - Press Release on Education Report 2026 (15 June 2026) - https://www.kmk.org/aktuelles/pressearchiv/mitteilung/bildungsbericht-2026-chancengerechtigkeit-und-fachkraeftesicherung-bleiben-zentrale-aufgaben.html