My Barnehage word book for foreign parents in Norway.

As a mother who was raised in Brazil, I got confused when my kid started at kindergarten. It was a whole new world for me. I had passed Bergens test (a high level exam in Norwegian language), but kindergarten vocabulary is quite unique, and you don’t learn how to be a latin mom in Norway at the Language center.

Norwegian kids spend a lot of time outdoors. Weather in Norway is pretty unpredictable. It rains a lot in cities like Bergen and Stavanger, for example. That’s why they need appropriate clothes.

So, thinking of us parents from warm countries, I’ve listed some specific items your child must have at kindergarten. I hope it’s useful.

Ytreklær– It means outer clothing. It’s that wind proof, water resistant warm overall that every child wears when they play outside. Children must have two sets of outer clothes, according to the season: a thick jumpsuit for the Winter and one light for the Spring/Summer. They must also have a rain set (jacket and pants). One set will do it, as they wear fleece underneath in the cold weather.
Also rain boots (gummy) and Winter boots. There’s insulated rain boots, fleece lined for the Winter. And the simple ones for the Summer.

Inneklær – Clothes to wear inside the kindergarten. Here in Norway, both boys and girls wear thick cotton or wool strømpebukser (tights). Also leggings or pants, sweaters, socks. Inner layer is usually thin wool in the Winter because it absorbs the moist and keeps the child warm. In the cold weather, all kinds wear singlet as inner layer, even under the wool layer. Singlet can be wool or cotton. The importance of wearing it is because it protects the chest by keeping it warm. The best middle layer is fleece (there are thiner and thicker variants) and the outer layer is that parkdress or vinterdress as I mentioned before (Spring or Winter suit).

Lue – Hat. When it’s cold and windy, I prefer balaclava instead of just hats. Balaclava is a knit cap for the head and neck.

Hansker og votter – Gloves and mittens. In the Winter time, they need both.

It’s very important to have extra clothes in their wardrobe place at kindergarten, in case they get wet when playing outside. Muddy puddles, ice and snow are magnets to children. I recommend you have more than one extra pair of socks, t-shirts, sweaters, fleece, longs, pants, gloves.

HMS has recently recommended that all children wear shoes at kindergarten, in case of need for evacuation. Innesko as they call it. Jogging shoes that will only be worn indoors. Todlers in Norway are used to wearing those leather mocassins. These shoes can stay at barnehage to make our lives easier and not need to bring them back again every day.

Where to buy them? They’re easily found at sports stores, clothes stores for children and also some huge supermarkets like Coop OBS. Check for discounts and for quality, of course. End of season sales are the best time to buy.

You can also buy second hand clothes and accessories on Finn.no or on Facebook groups .

Navnelapper – It’s a must have. At kindergarten, it’s easy to lose clothes and accessories. It’s wise to have your child’s name written on her/his clothes. You can write them all with a marker if you prefer, but I love those stickers. They’re super useful to mark all items your child possesses at kindergarten. Clothes, mittens, gloves, shoes, hats, sun screens, sunglasses. They stick well and last longer even after many washes. They are worth buying. My favorite brand is this one. They deliver super fast, in a couple of days.

Norwegian climate habituation. In Norway, we must follow the weather and season. In the Summer, even if it’s not a Latin Summer, your child should wear lighter clothes. It’s a matter of adapting to Norwegian climate. If your kid wears wool in the Summer, what would she/he be wearing in the Winter? I got used to it and I wear shorts in the Summer here, when it’s 15 C. With that temperature in Rio de Janeiro, I’d be wearing boots and puff jacket.

To sum up: Yes, your kid needs different kinds of jackets, overalls and shoes according to the weather and season.

How to be updated when season changes: Take a look at the other kids’ wardrobe place at kindergarten. See if they’ve already started to wear thick winter gloves, what kind of shoes they have, check size of overalls if you think your child is growing fast, etc. Ask other parents. You can leave a note for them at the wardrobe door asking them to contact you. Ask kindergarten employees. They usually set notes on the walls when it’s time for a new season, appropriate clothes you must bring. Ask salespeople at shops. Don’t be ashamed. Ask, Ask, ask.

Please write to me if you have any questions. I’ll be glad to help.

I also work as a coach for foreigners. For a personalized kindergarten clothes guidance, with brands, best price choice, size, examples, directly adapted to your child’s needs, please e-mail me. Special price for email subscribers to the blog.