Finland Ranks #1
The other day I came across a YouTube video that talked about the success of Finland’s elementary schools in comparison with public schools in the U.S. Initially, Finland ranked lower in its academic success rates than U.S. public school. Since then, they’ve turned things around and are now at the top of the charts! So, how did they do it?
Here’s a summary:
-shorter hours; only 20 hours per week
-less time in the classroom
-more time playing outside
-no homework!
-no schooling required until age 7
-no mandated standardized tests
-commitment to the happiness of each child
-making relational connections with children
Not only do these children have ample time to follow their pursuits/interests, they are given time to develop personal relationships with others, and enjoy time outside (that's right...P-L-A-Y!!!. This "free time" allows each child to absorb the lessons learned and gives them time to process the information in their own way.
British Educator, Charlotte Mason once wrote:
“I think we owe it to children to let them dig their knowledge, of whatever subject, for themselves out of the fit book; and this for two reasons: What a child digs for is his own possession; what is poured into his ear, like the idle song of a pleasant singer, floats out as lightly as it came in, and is rarely assimilated.”
Finland’s model encourages us all to R-E-L-A-X our overly rigorous plans and/or schedules. Our focus should be to use the time we have wisely. Educator, Bruce H. Wilkinson of Walk Through The Bible discusses giving children the gold and silver of academics, discarding the dross; sifting out what's valuable. Ultimately, we all should consider providing our children with one good thought per day to chew on, to digest, and to make their own.
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