Here’s Why Norwegian Kids are Way Tougher than You

This blog post comes on request from my college roommate Susan Bean, who sent the following inquiry:

Hello friend!!

So I got a fascinating question yesterday from [another friend]. Apparently she heard recently from a friend that in Scandinavian countries it is normal to leave babies outside in the winter for naptime because the cold air is healthy. This sounds insane!! And like something that is probably not true. But her husband chimed in and said they heard daycares do this – they push the strollers out into the cold to let the kids nap.

So you’re obviously my personal expert on all things Scandinavian – have you heard of this? Is this a real thing? If it does happen, is it considered normal or super weird??

Obviously, if it’s a thing, the scavenger hunt ensues for a blog post including a photo of a daycare with babies in strollers napping outside the facility surrounded by snow.

Here’s hoping 🙂

It’s true.

Susan, I’m glad you asked this question because I’ve been pretty impressed with how much time Norwegian kids spend outside. Most of my information comes from our Canadian neighbors, who are also in Trondheim on sabbatical and have three young boys who are learning to live the Norwegian lifestyle.

Norwegian children attend barnehages (“kindergartens”) from ages 1 to 5, and being outside is a big part of the experience. My understanding is that barnehages are required to have the children outside for about three hours every day, and one full day per week — regardless of the weather. Many barnehages have a special “outdoor teacher,” who plans activities for the kids on their outdoor day. Such activities might include sledding or learning important life skills, like how to walk on ice.

Presumably instructional time increases once a child enters elementary school, but there is still a major emphasis on the outdoors. The oldest Canadian, in second grade, has a lengthy recess and an outdoor day every week as well. Last week his class spent five hours outside ice skating. That’s in addition to him walking to and from school and spending two hours in the evening at ski jumping lessons. So this intrepid young guy spent nearly 10 hours outside on a Norwegian day in late January. NBD.

If this is not enough outdoor time for your child, there is another option — an utebarnehage, or outdoor kindergarten. These utebarnehager don’t have a building at all — the kids are outside all day every day — but they might have a tent to prepare and serve lunch. It’s not uncommon for the oldest kids in an utebarnehage (five-year-olds) to spend most of their time skiing. I’ve been informed that the school will usually find a place for the kids to spend time indoors if the temperate dips below -10 degrees C (14 degrees F). It is very competitive to get a spot. Check it out:

With all this outside time, gear is particularly important. Parents receive a very specific clothing list at the beginning of the school year, and are expected to have their children dressed appropriately. In short, the key is to dress your kid in three layers: 1) wool long underwear, 2) a second layer of thicker wool clothing, and 3) a down-filled snowsuit. (NOTE — I don’t have a snowsuit, but Gavin and I have largely adopted the same style of dressing. I may never wear anything besides wool again.)

 

 

To get to Susan’s question — the youngest kids do nap outside, but it’s not limited to the barnehage. It’s not uncommon for parents to go into a cafe and leave their child napping in the stroller. I’ve heard that that is considered a better option for the kid than making them sit quietly inside.

It’s important to point out that Norwegian strollers seem up to the task. Most strollers are highly insulated, like sleeping bags, and allow the child to be fully enclosed. They also have all-terrain wheels that can traverse fairly deep snow. I feel confident that these babies are warm. Here are some examples below.

 

 

 

All of this outdoor time seems to pan out nicely for Norwegian kids and encourages a lifelong appreciation for friluftsliv, the outdoor life. According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), 12.5 percent of Norwegian fifteen-year-olds are overweight or obese, compared with an 31 percent of American teens. This trend holds into adulthood, with 12 percent of Norwegian adults overweight or obese, compared with an unbelievable 38.2 percent of Americans.

The quality of life for Norwegian kids seems to extend far beyond the structure of their school day. Norway has the lowest child poverty rate in the world, less than one-sixth of that in the United States. Not a bad place to grow up.

Norway: you’re doing something right.