05/11/2025
Exchange the word children for foals and youngsters and you have the same , I believe in nurturing nature not forcing learning, so the youngsters here at pippsway are left to grow and develop within a mix herd environment in large fields for the first 3 years of life, then between 3 and 4 they start ground work at library and walking out in hand to learn more about the 🌎 they live in a non-pressure environment, it all goes at their pace mentally and physically. I always wait for the youngsters to be ready for the next step, that way they build their confidence. I like my horses to be horses and by allowing them this freedom to grow and develop in a mixed herd with space to roam free, run and play this is doing so much of the work for us . However in this day and age of the " I want it yesterday mentally" it's harder to find the clients that are willing to put their trust and faith in this method so many think "we should be doing something with them or they will grow up unmanageable ! " But in my experience the opposite is true. Allow horses to be horses and children to be children and play outdoors.
Research shows that Finnish children start school at the age of 7, yet they consistently outperform their peers worldwide in literacy, mathematics, and overall well-being.
But here’s what’s striking:
They don’t get ahead by rushing.
They thrive because they aren’t rushed.
Because here’s the truth: in Finland, childhood is still sacred. The early years aren’t filled with flashcards, early readers, and pressure to perform. They’re filled with forest walks, open-ended play, and long, unhurried moments of discovery.
🧠 Decades of research (Sahlberg, 2015; Whitebread, 2012; OECD, 2018) reveal that this slower start protects a child’s developing brain. Early play isn’t wasted time; it’s wiring time. When children build forts, climb trees, and explore mud puddles, they’re also building executive function, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, the very skills that predict lifelong success.
In Finland, teachers don’t “teach to the test.” They teach the child. Recess isn’t a reward. It’s a right. And homework in the early years? Almost none. Because rest and family connection are also seen as part of education.
Why does this matter?
Because too many children today are burning out before they even learn who they are. We push academics before self-awareness, competition over curiosity. We teach them to chase achievement before they’ve learned to love learning.
However, the Finnish model reminds us that a child who plays deeply learns deeply.
A child who feels safe will explore bravely.
And a child allowed to grow at their own pace will often surpass those who were hurried.
So maybe the question isn’t,
“How can we help our kids get ahead?”
Maybe it’s,
“How can we protect their joy long enough for learning to bloom naturally?”
Because childhood isn’t a waiting room for “real life.” It is real life… the most formative, fertile soil for everything that comes next. 🤍
References:
• Sahlberg, P. (2015). Finnish Lessons 2.0: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland?
• OECD (2018). Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators.
• Whitebread, D. (2012). The Importance of Play: A Report on the Value of Children’s Play with a Series of Policy Recommendations.
