Finnish Schools

Aatu and Venla’s school had a thing today, (the kids had to go to school on Saturday, gross right?) so all the parents and families went to the school to see the teaching method that they are using in the Finnish school system. Anyway, it was very interesting to see what a normal school day looks like for younger students, and it seems pretty darn great. One interesting thing is, to keep the school clean, everyone has to take their shoes off and leave them at the front door every day, which I personally think is awesome.

They have lots of recess everyday so they can go outside and play, but during class time there is music playing, they are playing games and learning through fun, not through repetition. For instance, today, as I walked through the building, I witnessed several really cool things that I want to share. Firstly, there were students who were learning how to code. I didn't realize what it was at first, but it was this little machine shaped like a bumblebee and they put codes into it to make it move a certain way. And they had dozens of these bumblebees, so all the students could try it. Another thing I saw was instead of memorizing spelling words, they played a game where they had to describe a word and the other two people in the group would guess what it was.

I have also noticed this sort of alternative to a traditional classroom setting in Aada’s preschool. While I was there with Sari picking Aada up, I witnessed a 3 year old hang upside down from a rope and climb several feet into the air. The teachers didn't do anything, they just watched him. While this was happening Aada (who just turned 4) and her friend were across the playground climbing a tree. That sort of thing would not be acceptable in preschools or schools in America. Here though, they don't protect kids from getting hurt, and kids learn from experience. Honestly, I like that a lot more. I wish I could have climbed more trees when I was in school.