– At school there is homework, while in kindergarten we just play, says Tiril Nesse Eri. She goes to first grade at Lærdalsøyri school, and thinks there is quite a big difference between kindergarten and school. Although much was new, a familiar face was brought from the kindergarten to the school – namely kindergarten teacher Malin Solheim. – Then I can get to know the other teacher while Malin is here, says Tirill. The 6-year-old’s litter is the first to try out the slightly unusual arrangement. The trial in the parish municipality arouses enthusiasm among some of Norway’s leading experts in early childhood education. 1st grader Tiril Nesse Eri gets help with her maths assignment from Malin Solheim. Photo: Ingebrog Grindheim Slinde / news Safety – and a little more play To make the transition a little smoother, Lærdal municipality has started a project where the first-graders get their old kindergarten teacher with them for the first six months at school. – It is very good to have someone you know around when the children leave the nursery, which is somewhat safe, and go to school, which is something completely different, says Solheim. In addition, she hopes that she can contribute with more games. – I believe that one learns best through play. Kindergarten teacher Malin Solheim and contact teacher for first grade Heidi Kvamme Lynse think they have found a good balance between play, learning and discipline. Photo: Ingeborg Grindheim Slinde / news From playing to sitting still For the vast majority of children, the transition from kindergarten to school goes smoothly, but for some it can be a tough transition. This is according to researcher Hilde Dehnæs Hogsnes at the University of Southeast Norway. She points to less play as one of the big differences between kindergarten and school. – Perhaps the biggest transition between kindergarten and school is less room for play, more sitting still and meeting different expectations than in kindergarten. Last week, the second interim report came out which evaluated the so-called six-year reform. In the report prepared by Oslo Met, it appears that both the children and the teachers want more play in school. – Play is the natural activity for children. That’s where they develop and a lot of learning happens in play, says Professor Elisabeth Bjørnestad at Oslo Met. She has led the work on the report. Professor Maria Øksnes at NTNU believes that a smoother transition, where the school builds more on play and learning from kindergarten, can lead to children retaining their desire to learn from kindergarten. An abrupt transition to school can help create negative experiences or feelings for the children. – Young people can develop performance anxiety and express aggression and restless behaviour. I think it has to do with the fact that there is so much new, and that the children need a lot of security and care. Kindergarten teacher Malin Solheim on a trip with the first graders. Solheim’s safe hand has kept the children safe for several years – in the nursery. Photo: Ingeborg Grindheim Slinde / news County manager of the Vestland Education Association Steinar Strømsli is also positive about the project in Lærdal. – We know that the transitions from the various education levels are extremely important well into the students’ school days later in the term. A familiar face The 15 first-graders in Lærdal have got their bags on their backs and are on their way out of the classroom. Contact teacher Heidi Kvamme Lynse and kindergarten teacher Malin Solheim clean up together after maths class. Two months into the trial project, Lynse is quite satisfied with having her colleague from the kindergarten with her in the classroom. – We all know that children learn through play. Malin is the one who has the best expertise in that, so we have played a lot. Lærdal also has an extra advantage, believes Camilla Grøttebø, who is responsible for culture and upbringing in the municipality. Only 2,129 residents live here. Thus, the vast majority of them come from the same kindergarten, and they start at the same school. – We only need one transition teacher. In larger municipalities, it will be more difficult to achieve, and it will cost more.
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In Lærdal, the pupils get their kindergarten teacher in first grade – news Vestland
