They Traveled Halfway Around the World – to Experience Swedish Sloyd

They Traveled Halfway Around the World – to Experience Swedish Sloyd

From Colorado, USA, and São Paulo, Brazil, to a Swedish woodworking classroom. Luke Johansson and Luis Otavio Araujo have traveled thousands of miles to experience how Sloyd is taught in Sweden – a subject they are convinced has the power to change children's lives.

A Television Show Changed Everything

The story of Sloyd Experience began in 2018 when Luke and
his wife, Allison, happened to watch an episode of the American television
program The Woodwright's Shop. The episode explored the story of Otto
Salomon and the philosophy behind Swedish Sloyd education.

"We had never even heard the word 'Sloyd.' But once
we understood the philosophy behind it, we immediately felt that it is just as
relevant today as it was then."

What inspired them most was the idea that Sloyd develops
qualities such as concentration, responsibility, independence, and
perseverance—skills that benefit children regardless of the career they
eventually choose.

Two years later, they held their very first classes under a
tree in a local park. Today, Sloyd Experience is a growing non-profit
organization that introduces hundreds of children to Sloyd every year.


Misstag är en del av lärandet

I deras slöjdsal finns en vägg som barnen aldrig glömmer.

Den kallas Wall of Learning.

Här hängs projekt upp där något blivit fel – ett hål på fel
plats, en sprucken träbit eller ett arbetsstycke som sågats för kort.

– Det är inte en vägg för misslyckanden. Det är en vägg för lärande.
Alla gör misstag, och varje misstag lär oss något.

Luke brukar också berätta att den som har flest saker på väggen är han själv.
På så sätt blir misstagen inte något att skämmas över,
utan en naturlig del av lärandet.

En plats där barn växer

Genom åren har Luke sett många barn förändras, men särskilt
en pojke har stannat kvar i minnet.

Pojken hade stora inlärningssvårigheter, engelska som
andraspråk och kommunicerade till en början med hjälp av en iPad.

– Slöjden blev hans lyckliga plats. Man kunde bokstavligen
se hur hans självförtroende växte för varje vecka.

För Luke är det ett bevis på att slöjd handlar om mycket mer
än att lära sig använda verktyg.

– Barn behöver få känna stolthet över något de själva har åstadkommit.

– Det är då vi ser den verkliga utvecklingen, säger Luke.

Men det de egentligen firar mest i klassrummet är inte
när barnen blir snabbare med en hyvel eller en såg. Det är när de blir bättre
på att hantera sina känslor när något går fel. När ett misstag inte längre
leder till frustration eller uppgivenhet, utan till att barnet hämtar en ny träbit och försöker igen.

A Safe Place for Children in Brazil

Luis first discovered Sloyd Experience through Instagram and
immediately felt that he wanted to become part of the movement. Today, he runs
the program in Brazil.

There, the reality is quite different.

Many of the children come from families with very limited
resources, and Sloyd becomes a safe haven.

"When they come to us, they enter a different
world."

The children participate voluntarily, and many become so
attached to the program that they cry when they are no longer able to attend.

"It becomes a safe place for them," says
Luis.

Inspired by Sweden

Their visit to Sweden is all about learning from the Swedish
Sloyd tradition.

They are impressed by how Sloyd continues to be a natural
part of the school curriculum and how students are encouraged to develop both
creativity and problem-solving skills.

They also highlight the teachers' ability to give students
freedom while providing guidance and support.

"There is structure, but also room for individual
ideas. That's something we'll definitely take home with us."

A Dream That Reaches Around the World

Luke doesn't hesitate when asked about the future.

"Our dream is for every child in the world to
experience Sloyd at least once."

It may sound ambitious, he says, but big dreams matter.

And after listening to Luke and Luis, it becomes clear that
this is not really about wood, workbenches, or hand tools.

It's about giving children the opportunity to discover
something many never knew existed—the joy, confidence, and pride that come from
creating something with their own hands.