Kindergartens are special in Norway. Kindergartens programs emphasize independence, creativity, motor development and comfort in the outdoors. Some “Barnehagens” (kindergartens) spend almost all of their class time outside, learning about plants, animals, weather, basic academic curriculum and practicing basic skills. The programs for the kids are largely based on “play” and independent learning. The kids very rarely go beyond their perimeters, get in trouble, or get hurt, according to multiple teachers whom I asked this question.
We had the opportunity to visit 1 kindergarten: Presteheia Barnehage.
The observation was in a special day called “Winter Olympic day” where the adults organized different games and competitions related with the Olympic Games. It was very funny because all of the children faces were painted with flags, etc.
There were around 100 children and 20 adults, split in different groups by years (from 2 years until 6 years). First of all we went to the kindergarten’s building while the children were arriving. They could play outside until all of them are there. The playground had a bus, little wooden animals, and a lot of things where they can play.
Later, all the children with the adults went to an artificial football field surrounded by forest (totally freedom for the kids) where they will spend the following hours. It nice to say that it was raining and a little bit snowing but it wasn’t a problem to be outside. In comparison with Spain, where it is not possible.
The leaders introduced the game to the children, motivated the kids, sang songs, were with them when they were playing and also they played with the kids and helped them when they had some problems… Basically the leader’s job is observing the kids when they are playing, give them freedom to play as long as they can see them, and take care of the smaller ones. During the lunch time they told a story and made questions about what they had heard. They didn’t force the children to do/play something so they were free to do whatever they want, use their imagination, curiosity, etc.
Organization and Equipment: Every child could choose the game he wanted to play. There were different stations: quiz, football, parachute games, carry potato/egg on spoons, follow a rope through the forest, free game… For this they needed a parachute, ropes, spoons, balls, potatoes… almost all the activities were focused in motor skills, coordination, develop the imagination and so on, but they weren’t so difficult so it was maybe impossible know their motor quality.
In my opinion I would have like more if they had been playing in a more natural place like a forest where they could use more their imagination, build dens, climb, make fire… though it was a good experience for me because I’ve never seen something like this in Spain. It was completely new for me. Though that I think it is a very good way to start the education of a child. They have all the possibilities of movements and it will be a good advance in their life. They are free, the can use their imagination; it’s a perfect way to get a good skills in almost everything. In Spain all the kids are almost all the time inside. It is another culture, another tradition. I love the philosophy: “learning by doing”, and we have to implant in Spain as soon as possible. We have to learn a lot of things yet.
