Education that embraces limitless opportunities

In Norway, childcare programs encourage kids to roam and make independent choices. The model may hold lessons for American schools.

By Noelle Swan

Staff writer

Christian Science Monitor

Oct. 15, 2024

In “Education that Embraces Limitless Opportunities,” Noelle Swan examines Norway’s progressive child care model, which promotes independence, risk-taking, and outdoor exploration for young children. This child-directed approach contrasts significantly with more restrictive American child care norms. Swan describes how, during her own teaching transition to a cooperative program with flexible rules, she observed children’s freedom to explore activities that would typically be restricted, such as climbing and playing barefoot. Initially hesitant, she grew to appreciate this model’s emphasis on safe exploration and its underlying trust in children’s ability to navigate challenges.

Swan highlights Jackie Mader’s report from The Hechinger Report, detailing Norway’s national dedication to outdoor learning. Norwegian kindergartens encourage students to engage in diverse activities year-round, including swimming, skiing, and even whittling sticks, all supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. This setting offers “limitless opportunities” that aim to foster social, emotional, and physical development. Children spend up to 70% of their time outdoors, irrespective of weather, allowing them to build resilience and confidence through hands-on learning.

A key tenet of Norway’s child care philosophy is community-building. The country invests in early childhood education as a means of fostering a cohesive, inclusive society. By supporting “joyful, secure, and inclusive” childhoods, Norwegians believe they lay the foundation for a connected and engaged community. This principle aligns with social-emotional learning priorities in American child care but extends them to a broader societal level. Norwegian policies emphasize not only individual development but also social responsibility, preparing children to contribute positively to their communities.

Though adopting Norway’s model in the U.S. would face challenges, Swan suggests that American educators could still learn from it. Embracing elements of independence, guided risk-taking, and outdoor education could enrich American classrooms and foster a balance between safety and exploration. Such approaches may seem radical but offer potential to enhance student engagement, resilience, and community-mindedness.

Swan’s reflection calls for educators and policymakers to consider how Norway’s philosophy might inform future educational approaches in the U.S., especially in nurturing well-rounded individuals within supportive, cohesive communities.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com