I finally got to soak up this super helpful and informative insider scoop!!! I love the emphasis on safety, stability and artistic enrichment! What about outdoor time? Is this prioritized at all? What is the food like? Do kids eat at school?
Great questions, Emma!! 😍 the food discussion is a whole separate post because it’s so critical here in Italy, as you can imagine! Outdoor time is a big part of scuola dell infanzia and certainly part of elementare but not prioritized - and certainly not like Northern Europe.
We are just going through the adjustment phase now, which has been a nice unlearning of the rigidity of certain structures (that I experienced in the US) in favor of the experience and overall wellness of the child. We are at the very beginning of our Italian schooling journey...but I appreciate that flexibility setting the tone.
So great to hear Nicole! I love hearing this. Rigidity is actually typically a hallmark of Italian education. 😆 What kind of school are your kids attending here? Is it a traditional Italian school or Montessori/other private?
The emphasis on art does not surprise me and is wonderful. There is art everywhere in Italy, things are done artfully, there is appreciation of beauty, colour, and most of all the feelings that art provokes. It is not an extra, but an integral part of life.
I read your post twice. I love hearing first hand about different perspectives and cultural nuances. It is wonderful how you have embraced the Italian life and are fully aware of your own biases that inevitably creep in. Really very much enjoying this ‘bambino’ series, thank you for sharing Lolly.
Hi Sheryl, I hope you know, you made my day with your kind, thoughtful note! I love sharing these stories and experiences but it’s 5 million times better if I know you and other are enjoying them 🥰
So interesting a lot of these are similar to my husband’s experience in school in Romania- the ramp up time to preschool, the teacher staying with the class, the career focused high school. The last one always felt like so much pressure to me but he did in fact follow the path he chose then and loves his career!
I finally got to soak up this super helpful and informative insider scoop!!! I love the emphasis on safety, stability and artistic enrichment! What about outdoor time? Is this prioritized at all? What is the food like? Do kids eat at school?
Great questions, Emma!! 😍 the food discussion is a whole separate post because it’s so critical here in Italy, as you can imagine! Outdoor time is a big part of scuola dell infanzia and certainly part of elementare but not prioritized - and certainly not like Northern Europe.
Oooo I'd love to hear more about food in schools - whenever you're ready. No rush!!
I have a partially written chapter from the book! I’ll post it after the pediatric ER post! 😉
I can expand on that too if you want! It’s a brilliant Q 💛
We are just going through the adjustment phase now, which has been a nice unlearning of the rigidity of certain structures (that I experienced in the US) in favor of the experience and overall wellness of the child. We are at the very beginning of our Italian schooling journey...but I appreciate that flexibility setting the tone.
So great to hear Nicole! I love hearing this. Rigidity is actually typically a hallmark of Italian education. 😆 What kind of school are your kids attending here? Is it a traditional Italian school or Montessori/other private?
Montessori! So that probably helps :)
Ah! Yes. Very much so! 😍
The emphasis on art does not surprise me and is wonderful. There is art everywhere in Italy, things are done artfully, there is appreciation of beauty, colour, and most of all the feelings that art provokes. It is not an extra, but an integral part of life.
Anna Marie, you said that so well! Yes, it’s an integral part of life. That’s exactly it.
Your writing is lovely Lolly. 🩵
Thank you Sheryl 😍
I read your post twice. I love hearing first hand about different perspectives and cultural nuances. It is wonderful how you have embraced the Italian life and are fully aware of your own biases that inevitably creep in. Really very much enjoying this ‘bambino’ series, thank you for sharing Lolly.
Hi Sheryl, I hope you know, you made my day with your kind, thoughtful note! I love sharing these stories and experiences but it’s 5 million times better if I know you and other are enjoying them 🥰
So interesting a lot of these are similar to my husband’s experience in school in Romania- the ramp up time to preschool, the teacher staying with the class, the career focused high school. The last one always felt like so much pressure to me but he did in fact follow the path he chose then and loves his career!
Amazing! I love hearing what schools are like in other places. What is his career?
He’s in software! He chose computer science in high school and now he’s a director at a software company
My day job is in software too. HR software :-)