Map Of The Island Reachable For Children

We went to a Kindergarden on an Island nearby Kristiansand. 18 children were split up in three groups, each group was guided by a kindergarten teacher. There were two rules: 1. it is forbidden to go into the water, 2. the children are not allowed to cross the invisible fence.

The teachers

The teachers were mostly observing their groups without interfering. They looked out for each child to have a friend and not play alone. However on the other way round they were easily approachable by the children. There was one situation when a teacher interfered: a boy was playing alone and started to cry. The teacher went there and hugged him then came back with him to the small hut holding his hand. She showed him some games and after a while he started playing on his own and then went of to join the others again. The situation showed how relaxed the teachers are and that this calmness helps the children to feel save again.

Risky play

Somehow the children were playing risky all the time. They jumped down rocks, climbed them and increased the heights of their jump. Meanwhile one of there girls screamed a bit hysterical but after landing save on the grass she laughed and jumped again.

Two boy started a swordplay with sticks. As the teacher didn’t stop it we asked about fighting restrictions. There are two rules: 1. if one says “stop” you stop, 2. you are not allowed to hit each other in the face. After a while one of the boys said “stop” and the other one stopped, went right to him and asked if he was alright.

The children were dressed warm for being outdoors. Their equipment looked expensive but none of them cared about keeping it clean. Two girls were sitting in the mud and painting each others faces. The teachers smiled at them and let them play.

easy observation for the teachers

Comparison with Germany

In comparison with my home country the described situations would have been treated differently. In Germany fighting with each other is restricted thus the teacher would always interfere immediately. In my opinion it is better to let children fight so that they are responsible for taking care of each other if one says stop and find out their borders. There is more space for the child’s development and exploration.

In recent years it happens more often that children tell friends of mine who are becoming teachers that they can’t do sports or play because they wear their expensive clothes. There was even a situation when parents complained about their son having dirty boots after football practice. Parents start to equip their children more and more expensive which leads to these situations. Nevertheless it is important for the child’s social and motor development to play. This is something I valued about the Norwegian Kindergarden because the parents give their children a good equipment so they can play even more outside.