May 12, 2023·edited May 12, 2023Liked by Meg Fischer
Love your writing style and getting to follow your experiences here 🫶
A bit off-subject, but this article reminded me of the first day I dropped my son off at preschool (vuggestue). To my chagrin, he immediately toddled over to another child and took the ball that child was playing with. I apologized for his bad behavior and told him to give the ball back. The Danish pedagogue then explained that they do not intervene, unless things get really out of hand, because they feel it is important for the children to establish their own hierarchy. We’re talking about 1-year-olds here. That was a real eye-opener for me; the first of many!
Wow! That would be an eye-opener for me, too! I have to say, though, I think I like that approach -- it really seems like it must help kids learn how to interact with one another and deal with tough situations.
Thanks so much for reading, and for that kind comment!
This one almost made me cry. My mom asked me the other day whether it would be scarier to teach elementary kids about what to do in an active shooter event, or to leave them unprepared. Here I am worrying that Logan will figure out what I did to the wasps in the backyard. It would be so wonderful to live in a place where kids aren’t just preparing for state tests and lockdowns. 🙁
I do love Logan’s school though. It is a Montessori school that does things very similar to the Danish way (but they still have to take the STAAR).
The level of safety here is amazing. I follow several expat moms in Copenhagen who talk about it a lot -- how they can’t imagine going back to the US after experiencing school here.
I am so glad that you love Logan’s school! The Montessori system is a great one, and I’m sure he’s super happy there.
You described and photographed a wonderful school system in Denmark! I imagine playgrounds in large metropolitan areas in the US must be secured from intruders who live in the area. In smaller, more rural areas such as Lexington and Fayette County, Kentucky, all playgrounds are left open so the public may walk across them, use the playground equipment, or play the Disc Golf circuit when children are not present. Yes, size of country does make a difference. Thanks for pointing that out.
The size of the area really does make such a difference! I'm mostly surprised that these places are open to the public even when children are present, and that you don't have to check in with an office or anything -- that's wildly different from what I've seen before!
Thank you for this, Meg! it's the like this piece was written for me. I'm obsessed with Danish early childhood education system and their outdoor education in particular. I've written plenty on Medium about the jail-like fences surround U.S. school and how prison-like the whole experience feels. My oldest (Danish) step-daughter just had Saturday school in her high school and told me that the students had to be escorted by guards to use the restrooms. Jesus, I said! Luckily, both girls are returning to Denmark to finish their education. Their school in Copenhagen was just as lovely as the one you described :)
Oh, how wonderful that your girls will get to continue learning in Denmark, especially in such a lovely school! I just think it's such a fantastic opportunity for kids -- schools here seem so fun and supportive and safe, and though I'm not a parent, I imagine that's an enormous relief, especially when compared to what's happening in the US right now.
Thank you, Meg! They're going into even better school, the type that doesn't exist in the U.S. Honestly, opportunities for high schoolers in Denmark are amazing. I'm a bit disappointed with schools in the U.S. at the moment, especially for sensitive kids.
I share your disappointment. US schools really could be different. It would take a huge shift - in policy and mindset - but I would love to see it happen. Kids - and their parents - deserve it.
Love your writing style and getting to follow your experiences here 🫶
A bit off-subject, but this article reminded me of the first day I dropped my son off at preschool (vuggestue). To my chagrin, he immediately toddled over to another child and took the ball that child was playing with. I apologized for his bad behavior and told him to give the ball back. The Danish pedagogue then explained that they do not intervene, unless things get really out of hand, because they feel it is important for the children to establish their own hierarchy. We’re talking about 1-year-olds here. That was a real eye-opener for me; the first of many!
Wow! That would be an eye-opener for me, too! I have to say, though, I think I like that approach -- it really seems like it must help kids learn how to interact with one another and deal with tough situations.
Thanks so much for reading, and for that kind comment!
This one almost made me cry. My mom asked me the other day whether it would be scarier to teach elementary kids about what to do in an active shooter event, or to leave them unprepared. Here I am worrying that Logan will figure out what I did to the wasps in the backyard. It would be so wonderful to live in a place where kids aren’t just preparing for state tests and lockdowns. 🙁
I do love Logan’s school though. It is a Montessori school that does things very similar to the Danish way (but they still have to take the STAAR).
The level of safety here is amazing. I follow several expat moms in Copenhagen who talk about it a lot -- how they can’t imagine going back to the US after experiencing school here.
I am so glad that you love Logan’s school! The Montessori system is a great one, and I’m sure he’s super happy there.
You described and photographed a wonderful school system in Denmark! I imagine playgrounds in large metropolitan areas in the US must be secured from intruders who live in the area. In smaller, more rural areas such as Lexington and Fayette County, Kentucky, all playgrounds are left open so the public may walk across them, use the playground equipment, or play the Disc Golf circuit when children are not present. Yes, size of country does make a difference. Thanks for pointing that out.
The size of the area really does make such a difference! I'm mostly surprised that these places are open to the public even when children are present, and that you don't have to check in with an office or anything -- that's wildly different from what I've seen before!
Thank you for this, Meg! it's the like this piece was written for me. I'm obsessed with Danish early childhood education system and their outdoor education in particular. I've written plenty on Medium about the jail-like fences surround U.S. school and how prison-like the whole experience feels. My oldest (Danish) step-daughter just had Saturday school in her high school and told me that the students had to be escorted by guards to use the restrooms. Jesus, I said! Luckily, both girls are returning to Denmark to finish their education. Their school in Copenhagen was just as lovely as the one you described :)
Oh, how wonderful that your girls will get to continue learning in Denmark, especially in such a lovely school! I just think it's such a fantastic opportunity for kids -- schools here seem so fun and supportive and safe, and though I'm not a parent, I imagine that's an enormous relief, especially when compared to what's happening in the US right now.
Thank you, Meg! They're going into even better school, the type that doesn't exist in the U.S. Honestly, opportunities for high schoolers in Denmark are amazing. I'm a bit disappointed with schools in the U.S. at the moment, especially for sensitive kids.
I share your disappointment. US schools really could be different. It would take a huge shift - in policy and mindset - but I would love to see it happen. Kids - and their parents - deserve it.