Dutch primary schools give children Wednesday afternoons off. The kids are free to do what they like as they totter off home at lunch time mid-week.
Why Dutch Primary Schools Close Wednesday Afternoons
The idea is that it gives children time to do extra-curricular activities without cramming every afternoon after school full. How considerate is that? Amazing eh?
The Wednesday afternoon gap gives kids time and space to just do.. well, kid things. It provides a bit of time for kids to be kids.
Kids Can Be Kids
The kids get together with school friends and play on the streets, ride their bikes, build dens, clamber around in the mud.
And do things like fall in the shallow sloot in shoes they’ve owned for less than two weeks…… and this mama wouldn’t have it any other way! Well, except make sure they have old shoes on in future!
It’s part of the reason that part-time working is so common in the Netherlands. Simply, if you have primary school age kids somebody needs to be home every Wednesday afternoon……
Personally, I am extremely grateful for Wednesday afternoons Dutch style – it’s something my kids certainly need to break up a school week.
Over to You
Is this something you like about life in the Netherlands or would you rather see five full school days a week?
0 comments