School education in Finland

Finnish education is very popular outside of Finland. Today, there were a lot of myths and legends, about studying in this country. Let's look at basic questions on the subject.

Small Finns start their education at age 6 in kindergarten. Classes at this stage largely based on the game, during which children are taught letters and numbers, simple natural questions. In order to go to school, don't need to be able to read, write or count. They will learn this in first grade.

Finnish primary school is divided into two stages - six-year-old, so-called lower and the second is a three - year, equivalent to the high schools of Russia and Ukraine. Very rarely the children are sent to school at the age of 6 years. Psychologists and educators believe that young children are not ready to start school life, but there are cases of postponement of the first year. Because at a basic stage, all schools in the country are the same level, selects the nearest. If parents decide to send their child to school with a study of the Swedish language (Finland is a country with two official languages - Finnish and Swedish) or English.

In the classrooms, on average, 20 people. Every student can get, especially in the beginning, so much attention and help as they need, the teacher in the first years of training has an assistant. In addition, at the beginning of the first class, after two or three weeks of training, the children in the class are divided into groups from the point of view of progress in mathematics and Finnish language. And each group works under the guidance of another teacher during the first year, sometimes two, until the level will be more or less agreed upon.

Teachers and other school staff, including the Director, children call. Relationships are built not on distance, but on mutual respect and support. There is no mention of any discipline. During the lesson, just silence and concentration, so that students can Express themselves, they raise their hands, patiently waiting for the teacher to speak with them. In the hallways, no running, no shouting, because it is forbidden. And everyone knows it. And respects the rules that apply to all.

School without the stress and rat race

Finnish students do not know what school stress. Pets there are no teachers, no critics, bullying or ridicule. Children from the very beginning I understand that everyone is different, everyone has their own talents and also weaknesses. No one is trying to assert themselves at the expense of others.

Exams (Yes, Finnish students write the test) show the ability of children and help to understand the teachers, where one of the gaps in knowledge. If there are difficulties with a child or in training, the problem is not splash out on parents. Teachers will take care of it, organizing work with a child in need of support.

the Lessons are only for 45 or 90 minutes. Breaks last for 15 minutes after the lesson everyone should take to the fresh air. To dress quickly and efficiently, in schools there are no changing rooms. At the entrance to each class, on the wall, there are racks and the kids hang their jackets and shoes - having a change. Physical education classes were often held outdoors in the schoolyard or the Playground, and in winter, sledding, skiing or skating, because almost every school have a Playground with a skating rink in winter.

Myth: the Finnish children do not ask homework

In first grade, children receive tasks that you can perform at home. Not so much work initially takes a few minutes, but it will also be given from year to year.

In recent years, Finland was the reform of education. The changes affected not so radical, slowly and gradually, they mainly deal with ways of teaching specific subjects. Teachers have much freedom in the implementation of the school curriculum. In addition to the traditional lessons in class, they can arrange classes, e.g. a trip out of town where you can combine the math with the lesson of nature (collect leaves, twigs, cones, etc., while studying the species of trees and other plants), and then the lesson of the Finnish language, can you describe this trip, and the writings - to make a fake brought from the leaves. There is no remembering, there is a message search in books and Internet, as well as the implementation of various projects or installations, you need to use knowledge from many fields.

Some time ago on the Internet there were rumors that Finnish children do not learn to write by hand, and the handles were replaced with computers. This is not so. Children write by hand, but they have not been taught calligraphy. They are not obliged to withdraw the letter. No one will judge them for their handwriting. The only thing it needs to be neat and legible. The Internet also write that the first grade children doing their homework with the help of educational websites, and in many schools, children also have access to the tablets used in specific classes.

One of the changes was the introduction of English language teaching in a first-class program. A few years ago the children began to learn the language only in the third grade, however, almost anyone in the country can communicate in English. Children from bilingual families have the right to teach a second language along with the history and geography of a particular country two hours a week. The teacher came to this school, a group of five students needs to speak the same language. In another case, the children go to rehearsal after school in a designated school, in which classes are held.

third grade children are taught in optional courses, usually six months. It can be additional physical exercise, dance, homework club, works, or perhaps talk in English. Thus, the children can make small decisions about teaching at the beginning of his educational journey that prepares them to take more significant decisions in the future.

Primary education in Finland is free. And in the truest sense of the word. The children all get in school. From books, notebooks, office supplies to materials for artistic or technical tasks. Check out the theaters, museums or a day trip on transport funded from school's budget.

Every child gets a free lunch in a Finnish school is the rule since 1948. If the student follows the diet for health, religious or ethical reasons, it is taken into account. The meal consists of one hot dish, salad buffet, bread, water and milk. In the early years, when during the day is a few lessons, and the children attend school no more than 5 hours, there is a rule not to eat anything at home. Enough lunch where children eat for at least 30 minutes. Sweets or crisps are not allowed. The schools do not have vending machines with drinks or sweets.

Because Finnish children usually go to school near the place where they live, no one accompanies, with the exception of the first few days of the first class. They are wonderful walking from home to school, in second grade, with the written consent of parents, they can ride a bike, in the third year the school does not require such consent. After school, children visit the local Playground and having fun together.

it is Difficult to say whether the Finnish school an ideal institution. It definitely encourages children to acquire knowledge, not by torturing them with things that will never be useful to them. Small Finns are not afraid of the school, they willingly go to her after school, and they won't bend a huge amount of homework. The teacher is the person on whom you can always count on. Finnish children learn for themselves and not for grades, praise or diploma.

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Translated by "Yandex.Translate": translate.yandex.ru.