The Ontario Ministry of Education is directing its focus, especially in its Extended Learning Program, toward play-based learning. Much of the inspiration for this new program comes from early learning programs in Scandinavia, particularly Finland. Here are some examples of early learning programs in Scandinavia and elsewhere. The Scandinavian videos are produced by English and Scottish education specialists. The U.K. has an intensive elementary curriculum which emphasizes the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills at a very young age, whereas the Scandinavian programs defer formal learning until the children are seven years old ... and yet a few years later, Scandinavian children outperform all other children on international literacy and numeracy tests.
Outdoor kindergarten in Norway
A Scottish educator observes a group of kindergarten children in Norway, and asks about the Norwegian outdoors-based program. Part of the children's day is spent interacting with farm animals, and part learning through play in the woods. At the end, the Scottish interview asks rhetorically, "What are we so afraid of that we're keeping our children from learning outdoors?"
Early Years Education: Sweden vs the UK (Part 1 of 3)
This program examines the difference between the Swedish and English models of education. It's worth going on and watching all three parts. (I'm astounded at the older students' mastery of English in the second clip, and loved the lunch protocols.)
Finland's Education Success
An overall look at some of the factors that go into the brilliant success of the Finnish education system.
