I have been asked many times to share information about the Norwegian education system because of my background. It is system with a reputation of having a heavy focus on outdoor play.
Well, due to a family emergency that has brought my children and myself to Norway for an extended time during the school year, I will be able to share with you some insights from an elementary school in Scandinavia.
My 7 year old started school in Norway last Monday and so far she loves it. Mostly she loves her new play area at the school.
Here is the school and nature play area. It is so nice to see kids climbing in trees during recess.
I’m also am wondering if the kids were walking to school alone with out any adults as I did when I was a child? On the way to school we noticed a few kids walking by themselves but we did not see that many. So where are all the kids before and after school?
They are at the SFO “Skolefritidsordning”; before and after school care program in all schools in Norway for kids of working parents. This program is for children between 6 – 10 years old. Each school does different things but many of them focus on outdoor play, arts and craft, doing homework and field trips. I hope to find out what they do at the SFO where my daughter goes to school.
Yesterday we saw the local SFO them as they were all walking from school to a local ice rink near to where we are living. It is about a 15 minute hike for the SFO children through the forest.
I am really looking forward to exploring the state of outdoor play in Norway. Though many things are still the same I sense there has been changes here as well as I am just not seeing that much outdoor play in the communities anymore. I am beginning to wonder if much of the outdoor play happens in schools, daycares and in the SFOs (After and before care at schools).
