Kids in Finland attend the least number of school hours in the developed world and get the best results. Why? Here are some key points in this video that give us an idea:
- Students start school at the age of 7. The idea is that at that age they will be itching to learn.
- Finland has a culture of valuing education.
- The first order of business when coming to school is relax! Take your shoes off.
- Teachers stay with the same students for many years.
- There are three teachers to a classroom.
- Extra help is standard practice. One teacher is designated to help those who are struggling with a subject.
- No matter the level, all the students learn together.
- The more talented students help the less talented in a subject.
- No winners and losers. It’s more of a team game.
- All students learn 2-3 languages.
- Parent involvement is key.
- All the teachers have Masters Degree.
- A Teaching Career is the number one choice of Finland’s best and brightest students.
- Trust is key. Teachers trusting students. Administrators trusting teachers.
- In America and the UK, education is built around competition. In Finland, it is cooperation.
Looking back on your education, would you have thrived in this environment? I know I would have. A lot of our traditional education system is not working. Why not look to Finland for some answers?
What do you think?
From the Facebook comments of this post, Evelyn Anzelc Fassett wrote:
“Logical, human ways of being.. why does it seem our country has such a hard time with those concepts? Holding the intention that things are improving and we are ready for a quantum leap!”
Thanks, Evelyn!
And this from a friend, Todd Strong. Sounds pretty great!
“Finnish children do not begin primary school until they are seven years old. But from the age of eight months, all children have access to free, full-day daycare and kindergarten. Finland has had universal access to daycare in place since 1990, and of all preschool since 1996.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/early-educations-top-model-finland/article4212334/
Definitely makes you think! Schools here obviously aren’t working. Time for a change! It’s no wonder so many in the US are turning to home schooling. Hopefully someone here will get the hint!