The past few months have been quite a rollercoaster ride. When we received the news from the Norwegian Utdanningsdirektoratet that we got rejected as a private school, it felt like we were taking an unexpected deep scary dive. Luckily, we managed to take control again by meeting with the Flow School Think Tank and contacted Udir to ask for advice. We felt like we were on our way back up again and felt empowered to take on this new challenging route: applying as a private school uten statstilskudd (without financial support from the goverment). At first, this felt like the one and only option there was, so: let’s go for it! Why not? Well, after letting the idea sink in for a while, a many of ‘nots’ (bad & red flags) popped up: school fees will be way higher than we like, we won’t be able to get the amount of staff we like, we won’t be able to build the learning village we dream about, etc, etc. All because of the lack of financial support from the government. Also, personally for me as the founder and director, it will be a huge financial risk. Again. The past year -from April 2024 until March 2025- was a year without a proper salary for me. It was fully dedicated to designing the Flow School framework. Can’t and won’t do that again. So the voice inside which was trying to tell me to reconsider applying as a private school without financial support grew louder and louder. Until it was finally loud enough for me to properly hear it and listen to its advice: Don’t do this.
So, then what?
Admitting that it was wiser to give up on the plans of opening Flow School in August 2026 broke my heart in many little pieces. But in the middle of the ‘grieving process’, there was also space for a ‘so, then what?’ brainstorm. Since we all so strongly believe in Flow Learning with Flow Guides, the Flow Framework, the Flow Curriculum, My Learning Story and Flow Start, we HAVE to make this happen. We NEED to make this happen. There are too many children and educators who feel so stuck and unhappy in their current systems and our approach is going to help them connect with themselves again. The Flow Approach sees everyone in the learning community for who they are and what they need. The Flow approach meets you where you are at this point in your life and challenges you to learn and grow from that point of confidence onward.
Wait, what?? The Flow Approach?! Yes, just as organically as that, The Flow Approach was born because we chose to use our growth mindset in challenging times. When they said ‘no to Flow’, we kept thinking about what we can do instead to help out everyone who feels as stuck as a duck in their current system. So, if we can’t build our own school: we’ll bring The Flow Approach to schools all around the world! Our TFA team will train existing schools so they will make the shift from teachers to Flow Guides, from a grade and age-based curriculum to a phase-based curriculum and from teacher led learning to learning based on curiosity and readiness.
Let’s explain what The Flow Approach means:
The Flow Approach is a whole learning philosophy for learners from grade 1-10 that puts well-being first and is rooted in connection, readiness-based learning and learner ownership.
It starts with the belief that every learner deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued as a full human being with thoughts, ideas, feelings, strengths and curiosity.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all education. We believe in meeting each learner where they are: emotionally, socially, and academically. We support their personal growth from that point of confidence onward.
The Flow Approach integrates five key elements:
→ Flow Start
Every day begins with a big focus on mental well-being. Flow Start is a flexible and intentional start to the day, where learners engage in something meaningful to them. This can be journaling, music, movement, mindfulness, drawing, reading, painting or spending time outdoors. It is how we make a smooth bridge between the home situation and school, land softly, arrive fully and become open up to rocking our academics afterwards.
Flow Start honors the learner’s emotional state and creates space for calm, curiosity, and connection before any academic expectations begin.
→ Flow Curriculum
Our Flow Curriculum includes core subjects like math, languages, science, social studies, physical education, and art. It is not age-based or grade-bound, but phase-based — learners move through phases at their own pace, with guidance and support.
The curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, develop essential life skills, and build real understanding, not just rote knowledge.
→ My Learning Story
Learning becomes visible and personal through My Learning Story — a tool for documenting growth, reflection, and discovery.
Every story begins with what the learner already knows and what they are curious about. From there, the learner creates a plan (with or without support from their Flow Guide) to explore their questions, set goals, and track growth.
A My Learning Story can be subject-specific (like My Mathematics Learning Story about fractions or percentages), social-emotional (like My Learning Story About Being a Good Friend), or even interdisciplinary (My Language Learning Story or My Sustainability Project Story). It is used for both formative and summative assessment.
→ Flow Guides
Flow Guides are educators trained to guide with presence and purpose. They don’t just teach — they facilitate learning, support ownership, and nurture well-being.
A Flow Guide knows how to:
- Meet each learner where they are
- Recognize and support flow moments
- Identify and respond to flow triggers and blockers
- Co-plan learning journeys based on curiosity and readiness
- Facilitate Flow Start with care and intention
- Guide reflection and documentation through My Learning Story
They listen, observe, and lead from beside — because learning thrives in relationship.
→ Flow Assessment
Assessment within The Flow Approach is not about ranking — it’s about insight and growth.
We use MAP Growth to assess readiness and growth in core subjects such as math and English. This data helps Flow Guides and learners set realistic, personalized goals and plan next steps.
For broader learning, My Learning Story is used to document progress across all subjects, projects, and skill areas — including interdisciplinary inquiry, creative projects, social learning, and personal development.
Every learning journey is different — and that’s exactly the point.
What We Offer
The Flow Approach can be brought into existing schools in different ways. Schools and educators can choose what suits them best, based on where they are and what they need.
→ TFA Inspired Schools
A TFA Inspired School takes its first step into the Flow philosophy by implementing one or more elements of the approach:
- Starting the day with Flow Start
- Using My Learning Story to follow and document authentic learning and growth
- Embedding the Flow Curriculum in one or more subjects (math, languages, science, social studies, physical education, and art)
- Training educators to become Flow Guides
It’s a powerful way to begin — no need to overhaul everything at once.
→ Fully Accredited TFA Schools
A Fully Accredited TFA School embraces and implements all elements of The Flow Approach — from Flow Start to Flow Assessment, My Learning Story, Flow Curriculum, and Flow Guide Training. This means the school’s philosophy and structure are deeply aligned with our learner-centered vision.
→ Flow Guide Training
Educators can become certified Flow Guides by completing our training, which covers:
- How to meet learners where they are and see them for who they are
- How to recognize and nurture flow moments, and identify flow triggers and blockers
- How to co-create learning plans and support ownership
- How to facilitate Flow Start and use My Learning Story for authentic reflection and assessment
- How to shift from content delivery to curiosity-driven, well-being-based learning
We are proud to already be working with our first school in Iceland, and we look forward to welcoming more schools and educators to this community — in their own way, and at their own pace.
Want to learn more about becoming a TFA Inspired School, starting Flow Guide Training, or applying for full accreditation?
📩 Email us at annette@theflowapproach.org
Let’s create learning communities where every learner feels seen, heard, and valued.
Want to explore what’s possible?
Email annette@theflowapproach.org to start the conversation.
The Flow Approach 