Description
Leisure centers in Iceland have been a vital part of the education system in Iceland since year 2000, they have grown in a rapid way and have gained both popularity with children and trust from parents. But only recently have Leisure centres gained a legal status in the Compulsory School Act, before they fell within different spheres: the educational system, the welfare system and the private domain of the home. This change has made the framework for Leisure centers in Iceland more stable and pushes all stakeholders to ensure quality work. The goals and criteria for work of Leisure centers for 6-9 year old children highlights four dimensions: The children in the leisure center, working methods and activities, human resources and professional work and finally resources and organization. The over-arching goal is to offer content-rich leisure and free time activities in a child-friendly and creative environment in which the working methods are characterized by free play and choice. The goals are 16 and the quality criterias are 48.The aim of the thematic handbook is to follow through both the new clause from the Compulsory Act, and the criteria for quality. It sheds a light on the role and value of Leisure centers in the Icelandic context and emphasizes on various issues in both theoretical and practical perspective. Among themes are social and emotional learning at the Leisure centers, the importance of listening to voices and views of children, how to work with culture, democracy, literacy, free play, outdoor and nature, inclusiveness and the importance of collaboration with other institutions, parents and other stakeholders in childrens´ lives.| Period | 24 Sept 2021 |
|---|---|
| Event title | WERA-IRN Extended Education Conference |
| Event type | Conference |