The Finnish Model for Leisure Activities: Youth Voice Re-imagined

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Imagining and Planning for Innovation: System Change in Out-of-School Time

Abstract

The Finnish Model for Leisure Activities guarantees a free and enjoyable leisure time activity for every child in grades 1-9 in conjunction with the school day and addresses the call by the UN-Convention on the Rights of the Child which declared that children have the right to engage in play and recreational activities and participate freely in cultural life and the arts. This multi-site qualitative research study included interviews with young people (98), instructors (34), municipality coordinators (23), ministry officials (3), out-sourced service providers (7), and parents (9). Additionally, 479 students across 51 before-and-after-school programs across Finland were observed. The model is successful in engaging youth in meaningful hobbies and shows potential to become the next major Finnish social innovation.

Author

• Risto Marttinen, George Mason University