The writer shares their experiences of their son attending schools in various European countries during their travels. They note the different approaches to education in each country and highlight specific observations from their time in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Italy. In the Netherlands, they found a low-stress environment with an emphasis on independence and outdoor play. Portugal emphasized collaboration and a relaxed schedule, while Italy focused on dining experiences and extracurricular activities like football. Throughout Europe, they noticed a common theme of prioritizing children’s social and collaborative skills in the early years, with academics becoming more rigorous as they advanced. Overall, they found European primary schools to be less stressful compared to their homeschooling experience in the US.
