How is the way of raising children different in different countries?

Parents around the world have different views on parenting. In the Nordic countries, it is extremely common for babies to sleep outside. In Italy and many other European countries, near-teens can sip a little wine with the family at dinner.

1. Norwegian babies sleep outdoors

In the Nordic countries, it is extremely common for babies to sleep outside. Parents in Norway, Sweden and Finland believe that sleeping outside has many health benefits for their children.

Even in the bitter cold of winter, babies are often dressed warm and placed in a stroller to rest outdoors, enjoying the fresh air in nature instead of the air in a closed room. This is thought to help reduce the risk of a cold or seasonal flu.

2. Finnish children get regular breaks

In Finland, primary school students have a 15-minute break after every 45-minute lesson. By allowing children to take regular breaks to exercise and play, it is expected that children will increase their ability to concentrate during school hours. In fact, Finland has the best education system in the world.

3. Hong Kong, Taiwan and India kids sleep late

Parents around the world have different opinions about when their kids should go to bed. While parents in New Zealand and Australia put their children to bed at around 7:30 p.m., parents in Hong Kong, India and Taiwan put their children to bed at around 10 p.m.

4. Children in Italy taste wine at dinner

In Italy and many other European countries, near-teens can sip a little wine with the family over dinner. While the legal age to buy alcohol is 18 in most European countries, family-supervised tasting is not a concern.

Some studies show that children who taste alcohol at dinner with family supervision can reduce their risk of substance abuse problems later in life.

5. Swedish children are protected by law from caning

Sweden became the first country in the world to ban spanking when it enacted a law in 1979. That means the first generation of children to have never been subjected to corporal punishment are now fostering parents. teach children.

Following Sweden’s example, the list of countries that ban corporal punishment is growing. Currently, there are 52 countries in the world that have officially applied this ban.

6. French children learn to enjoy meals

You will hardly see French children shoveling food in a hurry to pass the meal. French schools allow students to spend a minimum of 30 minutes eating lunch. Many schools even have a much longer sitting time at the table and then a comfortable break. Lunch time is an opportunity for children to socialize and try new foods.

French parents also believe that it is important to teach children how to slow down to enjoy food. This habit is inculcated at a very young age.

7. Chinese children learn to use the toilet early

Unlike many countries in the world, Chinese parents train their children to go to the toilet very early with a unique outfit called crotch pants, which exposes the child’s entire bottom. No need to pull down pants, or change diapers, babies just need to squat or ask parents for support.

Diapers are more widely used in China in recent years. However, parents in many rural areas continue to use bottomless pants for their children.

8. Japanese children use public transport alone

Japanese parents believe that it is necessary to provide children with the necessary skills so that they can find their own way, get to school and return home safely.

Besides using public transport without adult supervision, Japanese children are often asked to do simple chores to help their parents. It’s not uncommon for young children to go to the bakery or grocery store to pick up a few items. Japanese parents want their children to be independent soon.

9. 7-year-old Liechtenstein children go to school

Although five-year-olds in the UK and Australia have entered full school age, parents in Liechtenstein, a small European country, can choose not to send their children to school until they are seven.

Starting school later is unlikely to slow down a child’s educational development. Liechtenstein claims the nation’s literacy rate is 100%.