Today started out with an information session about education, practice and development in Finland. This is after all a school trip. Here is some interesting information about the education system here. (If you only want to see pictures keep scrolling)
Children have the right at 10 months to attend Crib (daycare)
At 3 children can start Kindergarten-this goes to age 6
Pre-school is age 6 (2 to 3 days wk) 4 lessons a day- then daycare
This takes place in kindergarten or school
All learning is happening through play- the point of school up til 1st grade is to learn how to
socialize and be part of a society.
Comprehensive school starts the year the child turns 7(1st grade)
Comprehensive school is for 9 years- grade 1-9 . All students receive their basic education
this education is very similar across the country- it is the base for everything .
All education is flexible! Children are not always grouped by age, at times they are grouped by academic needs. Each child has their own learning plan.
All students must learn 2 foreign languages along with two native languages.
Okay... enough facts for today. After our sessions this morning we traveled from Espoo where we spent our first night to Rovaniemi. To do this we took a one hour flight, great time for a nap. Once we landed we drove to our hotel with a stop for lunch and walking at Santa Claus Village.
While there we stood on and crossed the arctic circle a (few times) and saw a beautiful sunset.
After getting to our rooms and getting some dinner we bundled up for a night on the ice watching and waiting for nordic lights as they are referred to here. They are beautiful. I just need some practice getting them on film. Tonights pictures are a little on the blurry side but at least I have some pictures and better yet I was able to watch them.
All the trees had snow on them, it is stick right to them, holding down the branches.
Map of Santa' s Village
Arctic Circle
The towers/pillars you see in the picture are on the Arctic Circle Line
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