A school that excites the child

Vibrant colors, wavy upholstered furniture in alluring colors, on which some sit, others lie, and still others kneel. Some are listening to music, others are reading, others have a laptop in their arms. This is what the new Swedish school in the capital looks like Vittra Telephone plan, one of Vittra's schools and kindergartens. Although in Sweden experimental educational methods they are not strangers, but Vittra Telefonplan is new for them as well. Why? In the mentioned school, instead of long corridors, classrooms full of desks, and teachers' offices, thematic corners like "sitting islands", tables in an open, high space where students and teachers hang out, a walk-in library that peeks through the shelves freely pass through the building. into an open space, which is a platform for working on computers, on the adjacent stairs a lesson is held with a teacher... It is a school without classic classrooms, practically without doors and walls. Students gather at pedagogical process according to knowledge and not age. Mentioned school is free, as long as the students have insurance and the child's parents pay taxes in Sweden. Dutch architect Rosan Bosch, who were entrusted with the design, points out smaller and larger dedicated rooms, which the school has anyway. Dedicated spaces such as ballroom or multimedia laboratory, are soundproofed, and some other spaces are also separated, such as a space for group work or performances. When the architect planned the school, she turned to both teachers and students for helpful advice. Through the conversation, they extracted what they wanted and what kind of spatial arrangement such an educational approach would require. This is how different spaces were created that allow children to learn in the way that suits them best, to create their own different learning scenarios, to develop their creativity, logical thinking, responsibility and breadth. It is an example of how architecture and interior design can influence children, the learning process, to develop their potential.

A school that inspires…

Vittra Utbildning AB (Vittra Education) is a Swedish educational company founded in 1992 after the Swedish educational reform, which runs 27 schools in Sweden and other schools in Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Estonia. In Stockholm, they have the largest independent school in Sweden, where the schedule is individually adapted to the children according to their needs and skills. Theirs philosophy based on the knowledge that they have children and teenagers, which have highly developed rhetorical skills and they speak several languages and have a great understanding of other cultures, greater opportunities in life for success. Their curriculum is taught in English and Swedish, with an emphasis on providing children with an international perspective and breadth. Their work is guided by six promises, through which they express the idea and vision of their educational orientation. With promises, they more easily define and materialize the demands on themselves, and with them they also clearly express what children, teenagers or their parents can expect from their educational methods. These promises give each individual the opportunity to find the approach that best suits them, so that children play and learn based on their needs and curiosity. Learning takes place on the basis of experience, which increases children's motivation and creativity. Children are equipped with a tool that allows them to accept new knowledge, while at the same time allowing them to understand the learning process, which helps them to learn more easily and more effectively in the future. They encourage them to believe in themselves and their abilities. They are equal interlocutors who know how to defend their points of view, accept responsibility and know how to listen to the needs of others. They are equipped to work and study in an international environment, as they are accompanied by both Swedish and English-speaking teachers in kindergarten and schools. The Danish architectural bureau has also signed up to two Vittra schools, which are brimming with creative solutions for interior organization, colors, and shapes. One of them is Vittra Södermalm, which is located in an old building in the center of Stockholm. The new internal arrangement supports the school's pedagogical methods and offers both teachers and students a choice of working environment depending on the learning situation. Open spaces, furniture with organic shapes and bright colors, fluid spaces that pass smoothly from one to the other provide children with motivation and encouragement on their learning journey. The Brotorp school also offers students an inspiring environment, brimming with colors and atypical school furniture.

Outdoor education

The characteristics of the Swedish and Danish education systems are that they are not limited to the curriculum, but have a broader view that also extends to the importance and influence of the learning environment on the pedagogical process. "Forest schools" are an important part of the first years of education in Denmark since the 1980s. The aforementioned schools, intended for children under the age of seven, are based on the philosophy and desire to give the youngest children an education that fosters enthusiasm for nature. Learning outdoors encourages children to be more confident and independent. Research has shown that children who attended forest schools have higher concentration than others. In nature, children have a wide range to play, they are more resilient when playing, there are fewer distractions and interventions by children compared to children in city kindergartens. Another positive side of the kindergarten in nature is the openness of the children, who get sick much less compared to children in closed kindergartens. Outdoor kindergartens are very popular in Scandinavia, because children come to school with stronger social skills, show a greater ability to work in groups and more self-confidence and trust in themselves and their abilities. In 1995, the first "forest school" founded by him was established in Great Britain Bridgwater College of Somerset. The success of the project led them to expand the program to include groups of older children, including those with special needs, and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. In 2000, Bridgwater College was awarded the Queen's Award for Education.

What about us?

If experimental education is something everyday in the north of Europe, more and more is happening in this area here as well. The Walfdor school and kindergarten have been present in Slovenia for more than 20 years, and 11 years ago they were joined by a new private kindergarten with a special educational method - Montessori. Three years ago, the first Montessori Elementary School in Slovenia started operating within the Montessori Institute.