How are recess periods different in Finland?

Elementary school students get 75 minutes of recess a day in Finland versus an average of 27 minutes in the US. Besides getting generous hours of recess, the students also receive a 15-minute break after every lesson.

What is recess like in Finland?

Usually kids are made to go outside during recess, they can't stay indoors (yes, even if it is -18 degrees / 0 Fahrenheits outside). This might sound excessive, but the fresh air does wonders and keeps them moving. Playing is the key for better learning in school and for life.

How much recess do students get in Finland?

Unlike in the United States, where many schools are slashing recess, schoolchildren in Finland have a mandatory 15-minute outdoor free-play break every hour of every day. Fresh air, nature and regular physical activity breaks are considered engines of learning. According to one Finnish maxim, “There is no bad weather.

What is unique about Finland's education system?

The Finnish education system specifically relies on trust and responsibility. Students in a Finnish university are very independent. They are responsible for creating their study plan. They are also allowed to choose the rate and style of study.

How Finland keeps kids focused through free play?

They send kids outside—rain or shine—for their frequent recesses. And the children get to decide how they spend their break times. Usually, teachers in Finland take turns—two at a time—supervising the playground during these 15-minute stints.

Academic Year in Finland – Semesters, Periods, Exams and Holidays Explained | Study in Finland

How long is recess in Finland?

Finland, who boasts one of the best public education systems in the world, gives children a 15 minute recess every hour. In the 1960s, the country overhauled its education system, with a focus on ensuring each and every child had an equal start in life.

What is recess like for elementary kids in Finland?

Recess in the Finnish school system

In primary school (grades 1–6) and lower secondary school (grades 7–9), there are usually two to four recess periods of 10–15 minutes after each 45–90 minute lesson and one longer recess period of 30 minutes for school lunch and other activities.

Does Finland have recess?

9. Elementary school students get 75 minutes of recess a day in Finland versus an average of 27 minutes in the US. Besides getting generous hours of recess, the students also receive a 15-minute break after every lesson.

How long is a school day in Finland?

Typically, the Finnish school day starts anywhere from 9 to 9:45 a.m., and students typically spend only about five hours a day in the classroom. What's more, Finnish students typically have little to no homework.

Why is Finland so successful in education?

No standardized examination-

Except for one exam at the end of a student's senior year of high school, Finland has no obligatory standardized assessments. There are no comparisons, rankings, or competition among students, schools, or areas. Finland's public schools are funded by the government.

What country has the longest recess?

Meanwhile, in Finland, recess has long been considered an essential part of the school day and Finnish children get on average more than an hour of recess a day, no matter what the weather. That's one element in a school system that has attracted much international attention.

What are 5 interesting facts about Finland?

How many hours do kids in Finland go to school?

Each 60-minute study period includes a 15-minute break. Lunch is 30 minutes long. First and second graders attend school for a maximum of five hours a day and average 19 lessons a week. Older students attend school for up to seven hours a day.

Why are school days shorter in Finland?

School days are quite short in Finland especially in elementary school, because there usually are no extracurricular activities. School days may last only 4 or 5 hours. Children go to hobbies in the evening, when their parets have time to take them there after work.

Does Finland have less homework?

Finnish schools have a relatively low amount of homework.

Homework is seen more as a recap of what has been learned in the class but it is not supposed to take a hours of time at home. Usually students finish the rest of the assignments that was covered during the lesson and read through the next chapter.

Is school in Finland easy?

According to the OECD, students in Finland have the least amount of outside work and homework than any other student in the world. They spend only half an hour a night working on stuff from school. Finnish students also don't have tutors.

Does Finland have 3 hours of school?

Usually, school starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m., with an hour for lunch and 15 minutes between each class, so students have plenty of time to relax between classes!

How long is Finland homework?

The truth is that there is nearly no homework in the country with one of the top education systems in the world. Finnish people believe that besides homework, there are many more things that can improve child's performance in school, such as having dinner with their families, exercising or getting a good night's sleep.

Is Finland still number 1 for education?

Finland is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world for education. In 2022, it was ranked first in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report for Education.

How long is recess in Germany?

There is normally a five to ten minute break between each lesson, with two big breaks that last for 20 minutes so that there is a chance to go and play outside in the playground. There aren't normally lessons after lunch in German schools – imagine that!

What are the disadvantages of Finland education system?

Lack of Structure

While it comes with its advantages (e.g. highly sought, prestigious), it seems to have placed too much responsibility on teachers. The profession has transformed into a semi-bureaucratic job with less teaching element to it, consuming more of their valued time for non-instruction related duties.

Are phones allowed in Finland schools?

Finland bans mobile phones from classrooms in bid to boost exam results. Finland is to ban mobile phones in school classrooms in a bid to reverse slumping exam results. The country's new Right-wing coalition pledged to introduce the new rule for pupils aged between seven and 15 years old.

What country has the shortest school day?

Italy offers a slightly shorter day at 5 hours and 30 minutes. Finland and Brazil, known for their progressive educational systems, average a 5-hour school day, focusing on efficiency and student well-being. Germany presents the shortest average school day, with students spending only 4 hours and 30 minutes in school.

Do kids do better in school if they have recess?

Improves Academics – Studies have shown that higher amounts of recess result in higher academic performance and higher test scores. Physical activity expedites the delivery of oxygen to the brain, which leads to better overall performance.

What are the school rules in Finland?

Compulsory education applies to all 6–18-year-olds. It includes pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education. After 9 years basic education there is general upper secondary or vocational upper secondary education and training.