It was about 2014 when my twins were two years old, that this small Nordic nation appeared on my radar. I had picked up a newly released library book about global parenting, called “Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons Parents Around the World Can Teach Us,” by Christine Gross-Loh. The chapter about Finland’s Education System really stood out!
Having been through the teacher certification process in Elementary Education, I was intrigued by the chapter titled “Every Child Counts: Education the Finnish Way.” I learned that in Finland, kids don’t start school until 7! There are more recesses, shorter school days, fewer homework assignments, and fewer standardized examinations. Kids explore a wide variety of subjects in a relaxed manner, and vocational schools aren’t stigmatized. WOW, what a difference from the competitive American education I had grown up with and the American teacher training I had received!
Finnish education might already align with your goals if you’re a homeschooling parent. At the time, I wasn’t acquainted with Charlotte Mason’s homeschooling philosophy…or any homeschooling philosophy, for that matter (remember, my twins were 2)!
The Smartest Kids in the World?
Following this rabbit trail, I next read “The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way.” To write the book, journalist Amanda Ripley followed three American exchange students. They spent one year in Finland, South Korea, and Poland, respectively.
A few more revelations here: the high status of teachers in Finland, students having the same teacher for multiple years, and generally a high level of autonomy and trust in students. Well, I shelved all this knowledge and decided to homeschool. Later, I “met” Charlotte Mason, and dove right in when my kids were of school age.
Wisdom from Finland’s Education System
Now my twins are TEN (how did that happen?!) and we are on our worldschooling-from-home journey. I came upon another interesting book about education in Finland, “Teach Like Finland: 33 Simple Strategies for Joyful Classrooms.”
Did you catch that? Joyful Classrooms. I don’t know about you, but I’ve usually lost the joy component by January. Published in 2017 with an updated version that will release in April 2023, this take on Finnish education provides us with the insider view. Timothy D. Walker, a burned-out teacher in America, moved to Finland with his Finnish wife and children and began an eye-opening journey as a teacher in a Finnish school.
The disclaimer in the forward of this book is that It would be difficult to overhaul the whole American system of education. American and Finnish systems are so dramatically different in their treatment of teachers and goals for the students. For the homeschooling parent, however….there is so much wisdom here that translates. Here are my top takeaways for bringing joy back into education:
- Give students a 15 minute break, preferably outdoors, after every 45 minutes of school.
- Teachers need breaks, too, and not the kind of break where they’re still doing lesson prep.
- Be confident in your status of homeschool teacher. You know these kids like no other.
- Collaboration and sharing the load between teachers is encouraged, so involve your spouse in small ways or join that local co-op that’s been pulling on your heart.
- Instead of always leading, plan alongside students in doing projects.
- Give students choices and more autonomy in their lessons.
Thanks for joining me in my homeschool journey. We’re all in this together.
Happy Trails, Jamie