We’re concerned about the level of education our children are receiving, and curious what some people’s experiences were when moving around with kids. Especially for younger kids.
Our specifics:
The northern parts of N. America have a lot of flaws in their education, a lot, and it varies a lot by area, but currently we are in Denmark and the education could best be described as… “Saturday Morning Cartoons until 9th grade”. I don’t need to get in to the pros and cons of both systems, but one thing we’re very aware of is IF we should move back, our children would *probably* be considered very, very far behind at a *good* US school after 2+ year here.
It seems like there is nearly no science or history early on and very, very little until high school. The math is just behind. Full stop. Reading and language skills are poor, both in English and in Danish, except in how you treat other people (a *very* useful skill, but not one that is measured in the US…at all)
Education and personal growth are things that are really, really important to us. So, this is putting a surprising strain on our decision making.
Enjoy, it could be worse. Unless you are planning to leave soon just out of education stress, teach them to read and enjoy books when they are home. I homeschooled my kids for 5-10 years, they also have been to American and Dutch schools. Now with 3 in universities, they only talk fondly about their time homeschooling and think it prepped them for real life and university the best. I would never encourage homeschooling or relaxed education but I’m surprised the kids did their best growing/learning/reading/exploration then.
My daughter is still close with her American friends and they are in school and sports activities for 12+ hours a day. She sleeps and studies in class and is burning out for a chance to go to a sub-par Florida university. My kid in contrast is studying at a university a few hours, studying at home, riding her bike, has a part-time job and loads of great friends. This is a dream life in comparison.