Cultural Differences in Education Between the Netherlands and Other Countries

Eén van Living abroad as a Dutch family?
Then you’ve probably noticed this too…

It’s often only when your children start school outside the Netherlands that you suddenly realise just how typically Dutch our education system really is.

Because so many things that felt completely normal back home: lots of play in the early years, very little homework when children are young, no school uniforms, spontaneous playdates after school, early dinners, and a playground full of very tall parents on bikes, turn out to be surprisingly different in many other countries.

And honestly, that can take some getting used to.

For many Dutch expat parents, this is also the moment they become extra aware of something else:
how important it is for their child to stay connected to the Dutch language and culture.

In this blog, I’m sharing some of the cultural differences between education in the Netherlands and other countries that Dutch expat families often notice first. Chances are, you’ll recognise quite a few of them yourself.

1. Dutch children often have more freedom at school

One of the biggest differences between the Netherlands and many other countries is:
The amount of freedom children are given.

In the Netherlands, it feels completely normal for children to:

• spend a lot of time learning through play in the early years
• start academic pressure later than in many other countries
• have relatively little homework when they are young
• develop at their own pace
• attend different types of schools, such as Montessori, Dalton or Waldorf-style schools

In many other countries, things can look quite different.

You’ll often see:

• stricter rules and more discipline
• earlier focus on academic achievement
• more homework from a young age
• less room for free play
• a more structured and formal school culture

And as an expat family, you often notice this immediately. When my children had been at the Spanish school for a week, I immediately thought: oh dear, that’s a lot of homework! Luckily, my children were totally fine with it — everyone does it, so it quickly became the new normal.

Where Dutch children are used to a more playful, relaxed environment, they may suddenly find themselves in a system where children sit still longer, complete more worksheets and are assessed earlier.

Which system is better?
That’s completely up to you to decide.
But it is fascinating to see how differently Dutch children often grow up.

2. Dutch children often pick up new languages quickly

Something the Dutch are quite famous for?
We often learn new languages quickly.

And that starts young.

In the Netherlands, children grow up with:

• English films and TV shows
• Dutch subtitles
• songs in different languages
• lots of international media exposure

Because we don’t dub everything, Dutch children hear different sounds and languages from an early age. That often helps them develop a flexible ear for language.

And of course, that’s a huge advantage when living abroad.

Many Dutch expat children adapt surprisingly quickly to:

• English
• Spanish
• German
• French
• or the local language of the country they live in

But… and this is important…

Because children are so flexible, their Dutch can also fade into the background more quickly than parents expect.

That’s exactly why many families choose Dutch lessons for expat children, so their child can learn a new language and stay strong in Dutch at the same time.

Because yes, children adapt fast.
But maintaining their Dutch vocabulary, reading and confidence in speaking Dutch? That often needs a little extra support.

3. Dutch people are natural world travellers (and you can see it in our children too)

Dutch people have always been curious about the world.

We love to travel, explore, compare, discover and experience how life works in other places.

And you still see that today.

There are so many Dutch families living abroad, emigrating temporarily or raising children internationally. And that naturally shapes the way their children grow up too.

Many Dutch expat children grow up with:

• an open mind
• curiosity
• flexibility
• adaptability
• an interest in other cultures

That’s beautiful.

But at the same time, many parents also feel:
Because my child is growing up internationally, I want to make sure they don’t lose that Dutch part of who they are.

And that’s where Dutch language lessons online can play such a valuable role.

Not as “extra school”…
but as a meaningful way to stay connected to:

• the Dutch language
• family in the Netherlands
• Dutch books and stories
• cultural traditions
• and even a future return to the Netherlands

4. Dutch people are tall… and yes, you really notice it on the school playground

Okay, this one had to be included.

Because when you’re standing on a school playground in Southern Europe or somewhere else in the world as a Dutch family…
there’s a very good chance you’ll think:

“Oh wow… we really are ridiculously tall.”

The Dutch are among the tallest people in the world, and honestly, in many countries we literally stand out.

Not exactly an education difference…
but definitely one of those classic expat moments that makes you think:
yep, we are very obviously Dutch.

5. In the Netherlands, play is almost sacred

This is another difference many expat parents notice quickly.

In the Netherlands, it feels very normal for children to:

• play after school
• have friends over spontaneously
• spend time outdoors
• not have every afternoon fully scheduled
• simply have time to be children

In many other countries, afternoons are often reserved for:

• homework
• extra tutoring
• sports
• music lessons
• academic support
• preparation for tests

Where a Dutch child might say:
“Do you want to come play after school?”

a child in another country might think:
“Sorry, I have homework, piano, tutoring and swimming.”

Neither is right or wrong.
But it does show how differently childhood, learning and development can be approached.

We try to strike a balance, our children are definitely allowed to have lots of playdates and fun, but if they have a test coming up, that takes priority.

6. No school uniform? Very Dutch.

In the Netherlands, it feels completely normal for children to go to school in their own clothes.

In fact, we barely think about it.

But in many other countries, school uniforms are the standard.

And that’s often one of the first things Dutch families notice.

In many international or local school systems, school also means:

• a uniform
• polished shoes
• clear appearance rules
• structure and discipline

For Dutch children, that can take some getting used to.

And for parents too 🙂

7. Dutch teachers are often approachable and wonderfully direct

This is another very Dutch trait.

In the Netherlands, communication between parents and school is often quite informal and accessible. Teachers are usually approachable, parents tend to ask questions easily, and conversations are often direct and clear.

We like:

• short communication lines
• openness
• honesty
• practicality
• a “just be normal” attitude

In other countries, school can sometimes feel much more formal.

You may notice:

• more hierarchy
• more distance between parents and teachers
• more formal communication
• less direct feedback

For Dutch parents, that can be an adjustment.

And of course… our Dutch directness can sometimes feel a little intense to others too.

8. Cycling to school. Very normal in the Netherlands

This says a lot about Dutch culture too.

In the Netherlands, it’s very common for children to learn early how to:

• ride a bike
• navigate traffic
• build independence step by step
• get themselves to school as they grow older

In many other countries, children are taken to school much longer by:

• car
• driver
• school bus
• or adult supervision

That says a lot about how the Dutch view independence.

We tend to trust children with responsibility relatively early, and that mindset shows up in both parenting and education.

9. Dutch food travels with us everywhere

Living abroad makes you realise something very quickly:

you miss the most random Dutch foods more than you expected.

Think of:

• Dutch cheese
• stroopwafels
• liquorice
• Tony’s Chocolonely
• paprika crisps
• knakworstjes
• sauerkraut
• herring
• chicken curry salad on bread
• croquettes and bitterballen

And how funny is it that in so many countries, you can somehow still find a Dutch supermarket, a Dutch shop or at least a tiny Dutch corner somewhere?

Apparently, we really are everywhere.

And for children, those little familiar tastes matter more than we sometimes realise.

A favourite Dutch snack, a recognisable lunchbox item or something that feels like “home” can really help them stay connected to their Dutch identity.

10. Almost no one outside the Netherlands truly understands Sinterklaas… but we love it anyway

While much of the world celebrates Christmas on the 25th of December…
we Dutch families are already deep into festive magic on the 5th of December.

With:

• putting out shoes
• singing songs
• eating pepernoten
• making surprises
• gift evening
• cosy traditions during the dark winter days

For Dutch expat families, Sinterklaas often feels even more special.

Because when you live far away from the Netherlands, those traditions suddenly feel even more meaningful.

And let’s be honest:
people outside the Netherlands often don’t understand it at all.

But for our children, it’s a beautiful mix of language, songs, tradition, fun and memories.

And those are exactly the kinds of things that help keep Dutch culture alive.

11. Dutch families eat ridiculously early

Another classic.

If your child has a friend over after school, there’s often a very Dutch moment around 5 pm…

You subtly start wondering when that child is being picked up 🙂

Because in many Dutch families, dinner is already on the table around 5:30 or 6:00 pm.

In many other countries?
That sounds completely unimaginable.

In Southern Europe especially, dinner often happens at 8PM or later!

For Dutch expat children, that can be a surprising adjustment.

But for us Dutch parents, it often feels wonderfully familiar:
early dinner, children in bed on time, and a little evening left for yourself.

12. Living abroad often makes you realise how important Dutch language and culture really are

And maybe this is the biggest takeaway of all.

It’s often only once you live abroad that you really feel:

• how typically Dutch certain habits are
• how much of culture lives in everyday routines
• how important language is for identity
• how quickly children adapt
• and how quickly Dutch can quietly slip into the background

Children are incredibly flexible.
That’s one of their superpowers.

But precisely because they adapt so fast, Dutch can sometimes become weaker before parents even realise it.

Vocabulary gets smaller.
Reading in Dutch becomes harder.
Sentences get mixed with English.
And children may start answering in another language more often.

That’s when it can be so valuable to have a warm, personal way to keep Dutch alive.

Not through pressure.
Not through boring worksheets.
But in a way that fits children who are growing up internationally.

Why many families choose online Dutch lessons for their child

For many families, online Dutch lessons are a beautiful way to combine the best of both worlds.

Your child grows up abroad, learns new languages and experiences other cultures…
while also staying connected to Dutch.

That’s exactly what Dutch for Kids is all about.

With warm, personal and flexible Dutch lessons for children abroad, me and the other teachers form Dutch for Kids, help expat children to:

• maintain strong Dutch language skills
• expand their vocabulary
• keep speaking Dutch with confidence
• prepare for a possible return to the Netherlands
• and stay connected to their Dutch roots

Because growing up abroad is an amazing adventure.
But how wonderful is it when your child can also stay grounded in their mother tongue along the way?

Final thoughts

Is the Dutch education system better than that of other countries?

Not necessarily.

But it is different.

And as a Dutch expat parent, that’s often something you suddenly start to notice in the little things.

The freedom.
The play.
The directness.
The early dinners
The Sinterklaas magic.
The spontaneous playdates.
The open-minded way children are raised.

All those little things together form something much bigger:
the Dutch way of growing up.

And no matter how international your life has become…
that part is absolutely worth holding on to.

Would you like your child to stay strong in Dutch while living abroad?

At Dutch for Kids, we offer warm, personal and flexible Dutch lessons for expat children, fully tailored to your child’s level, interests and life abroad.