After spending a year teaching in Finland, educator Sarah Thompson uncovered a truth that many American parents have long suspected: our education system is too demanding on children. In an article reflecting on her time abroad, which was featured by KQED News, Thompson highlights the Finnish approach to schooling, where students typically enjoy a fifteen-minute break after every forty-five minutes of instruction. When she initially tried to apply the fast-paced U.S. model, the results were disheartening. One of her fifth graders voiced his frustration, saying, “I feel like I’m going to burst! This schedule is overwhelming…” It was just the third day of school, and already, the pressure was evident.
Realizing the need for a change, Thompson adapted her teaching style to align more closely with the Finnish model. The impact was immediate: students became more engaged and focused, instead of exhausted or disinterested at the end of lessons. Thompson remarked, “For a moment, I thought I’d stumbled upon a secret,” but quickly remembered that Finland has practiced this effective schedule since the 1960s.
To reinforce her observations, Thompson researched existing literature, finding a wealth of studies from psychologists and educators that support the idea of frequent breaks and shorter instructional periods. While she acknowledges that the rigid structure of the U.S. educational system may hinder full adoption of the Finnish model, she is optimistic. For example, research led by American kinesiologist Linda Green has shown positive outcomes in schools where additional breaks have been introduced.
Thompson emphasizes that it’s not merely about letting kids play; the core advantage of these breaks lies in how they refresh students’ minds and sustain their focus. A quick glance at the comments on NPR’s social media platforms reveals that many American parents have been aware of this issue for years. Kids are becoming overwhelmed! Whenever I attend meetings about my second grader, teachers commend his abilities yet lament his lack of concentration and constant restlessness. And then they hand him a stack of homework. He’s only seven! I can hardly sit still for a full day, and I’ve been at it for years. A commenter named Jake noted, “Breaks? In America? No way! Back to work, kid, so you can get ready for the mind-numbing office grind in the future.”
Parents of young children understand the connection between their kids’ mental and physical well-being. If they skip a meal or a nap, it’s meltdown city. The same principle applies to their attention spans. Children require breaks, not only to channel their restless energy but also to allow their developing minds time to process and refocus.
American schools have seen a continuous decline in recess time, and the detrimental effects are becoming increasingly clear, as are the advantages of providing more downtime. Unfortunately, this is evident to everyone except those in charge.
This article originally appeared on April 23, 2017. For more insights, check out this other blog post.
Summary
U.S. schools are overlooking the importance of downtime for students, as highlighted by educator Sarah Thompson after her experience in Finland. The Finnish model, which includes regular breaks, has shown to enhance focus and engagement among students. Research supports the benefits of this approach, yet the U.S. education system often prioritizes a more strenuous pace, leaving many children feeling overwhelmed.