What is a Dutch “thuiszitter”?
Kinderen die niet naar school gaan maar ondernemen
A2 Dutch listening practice · Dutch · Picked for people who know a little
A thuiszitter is a Dutch term for a child who has been out of school for over four weeks, a recognised category in Dutch education policy. Onderwijsinspectie statistics report between 4,000 and 7,000 thuiszitters in any given year. Causes range from schoolweigering (anxiety, autism, sensory issues), bullying, mismatched track-placement (advies vs vermogen), to chronic illness. The Leerplichtwet requires schools and gemeenten to find a solution, often through alternative formats: home tutoring, Persoonsgebonden Budget-funded private placements, or vrijstelling exemptions. Some thuiszitters end up running small businesses, freelancing, or pursuing self-directed learning.
In this clip, NOS Jeugdjournaal profiles young entrepreneurs: “Rivan is 10 en gaat niet naar school. Wel heeft hij zijn eigen bedrijfje.”
How common are the words?
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How common in written Dutch
How common in spoken Dutch
Harder words in this video
These words are harder than A2. Here is what they mean.
Source: wordfreq 3.1.1 (general) · SUBTLEX-NL 2014 (spoken). These numbers are close, not perfect.
- ▸In Dutch education-policy writing (Onderwijsinspectie, Rijksoverheid, Trouw)
- ▸In Dutch thuiszitter and passend onderwijs coverage (NJI, Ouders & Onderwijs, De Correspondent)
- ▸In Dutch parenting and special-needs writing (Kek Mama, Ouders van Nu, Balans Digitaal)
- ▸In Dutch news features about youth entrepreneurship (Sprout, NRC, Quote)