|
Frequently Asked Questions
© Beverley Paine, December 2008
Feeling Comfortable with Natural Learning
"I have noticed that my children are very confident doing lots of practical things, but writing and maths tends to lag. That's probably more the reason for my fears I guess... (I'd love to find some activity that they like that would cover writing and maths." Janna
Ahh, that is what I wanted for years too! Then I started to think about it. What is the point of education? Most people say it is to get a child ready for adult life, especially working adult life. So far, so good.
Okay, how many adults do you know that use reading, writing and arithmetic (beyond year 7 level!) every day, either at work or at home.
If you are a teacher, or worked as a teacher, okay, this doesn't apply to you. Maybe you work in an office, number or word crunching. Okay, you use numbers and words, maybe even spelling and grammar every day.
But is that the kind of job we want our children to aspire to? Is that what school education wants for our children? Is that why music and art are in the curriculum? Geography and history. Nuh uh.
Most people barely read anything beyond the paper work they have to. This means filling out forms, reading forms, reading the paper maybe. Some of us escape into fiction but most of us prefer the idiot box or a computer/video game.
We want our children to learn to read and write and calculate because it is SO important, but how many adults do they know who read, write and calculate all day every day?
I'm a writer and I write every day. I read for information (that's pleasure to me so I don't need to read fiction for pleasure). I calculate when I have a need to calculate, like most mothers do. Robin calculates when he needs to - usually when he's building something. Most of what we use - reading, writing and maths skills - are those we learned at primary school.
I suspect we would have learned them anyway, even if we hadn't gone to school, because we needed to. Most people learn these things - even kids in countries that don't have schools - if they are needed in order to get by each day. You learn what you need to. Sometimes it isn't a happy process. (that's another topic I get on my soapbox about - why does learning have to be fun all the time????)
As natural learners we can chill out about kids not doing maths and writing because doing maths and writing isn't done for itself - it is done - in the real world - as part of a real activity.
Why invent some activity to get the kids reading, writing and calculating, just to show they can read, write and calculate. Doesn't make sense.
As our children keep themselves busy it is our job to 'see' the maths, reading and writing skills that they are developing. Not to create activities that show them happening, or test their progress or whatever. We need to reassure ourselves by observing our children closely. And by identifying their needs so we can anticipate what materials they'll need next to keep the activities rolling along.
Knowing all this didn't stop me from worrying though.
I never stopped feeling those fears that we weren't doing enough to
educate our children - even after they had finished homeschooling and
were making their own way in the world! I think it is the plight of
parents all over the world to continue to worry... :-)
My offspring, however, feel quite differently about it. My sons often
remark that they don't know why they know so much, especially in
comparison to their peers. But more than that, they can do so much -
their skills and abilities often astound much older adults who are
used to young people who have been through school. The guys enthusiasm
and 'give it a go' attitude seems much appreciated too.
One thing I have found with unschooled youngsters is that they can't
generally be bribed or coaxed into doing things that they don't want
to do. Motivation is a key factor in what they do and when they do it.
But doing it well doesn't seem to be much of an issue at all!
It can take a long time to feel comfortable about natural learning, even when we feel passionately about it. It is going SO against the grain... but truly worth the effort!
Was this article helpful? Was it worth $1.00 to you?
Your gift of $1 or more helps to keep this site operating
offering encouragement
and reassurance to families
wanting
better outcomes for their children.
Beverley Paine with her children, and their home educated children, relaxing at home.
Together with the support of my family, my aim is to help parents educate their children in stress-free, nurturing environments. In addition to building and maintaing this website, I continue to create and manage local and national home educating networks, help to organise conferences and camps, as well as write for, edit and produce newsletters, resource directories and magazines. I am an active supporter of national, state, regional and local home education groups.
"You've been an inspiration to me, I love the way
you really listen to people." Vanessa
"Whenever I read your writing I always come away
with increased confidence in my ability to provide and
share a wonderful learning journey with my family!" Davina
"Your guidance, understanding, support and words of
wisdom changed our lives. We now offer support and
organise many homeschooling events for others." Lesley
"Thank you once again for your prompt and friendly service.
I am convinced that your books are going to add
quality and peace of mind to my journey of teaching my kids
at home! Just from studying your website, until almost
2am
in the morning, I 've been encouraged!" Louisa
"Thank you for all your many,many reassuring words
over many, many years. You probably don't know exactly how
valuable you are to the Australian Home Education community.
I've been reading your stuff for maybe 8 years or more now.
And I'm very grateful." Gythaa
CLICK HERE
if you want to learn
how to write your own education plans
to suit
your unique children's
individual learning needs?
Or you are looking for quality curriculum and teaching tips...
|
|
Welcome to the World of Home Education
and Learning without School!
We began educating our children in 1985, when our eldest was five. In truth, we had helped them learn what they need to learn since they were born. I am a passionate advocate of allowing children to learn unhindered by unnecessary stress and competition, meeting developmental needs in ways that suit their individual learning styles and preferences. Ours was a homeschooling, unschooling and natural learning family! There are hundreds of articles on this site to help you build confidence as a home educating family. We hope that your home educating adventure is as satisfying as ours was! Beverley Paine
3 ESSENTIAL STEP BY STEP GUIDES
Let experienced home educators Beverley, Tamara and April walk you through HOW to create a learning plan that builds on solid foundations that works for YOUR family AND ticks all the boxes for home educaton registration!
|
Tap into Beverley's
experience
through her books
"Your books, your blogs helped me beyond words... they helped me to find comfort in knowing it is ok to choose exactly what is best for my family." Nisha
"Your books and information are mind blowing and already I am feeling good about this new experience." Diane
"Your guidance, understanding, support & words of wisdom changed our lives." Leslie
"I feel specially inspired by Beverley's words and, the more I read her comments, the more inspired I feel, since my need for support, respect for different parenting styles, and information are fully met." Marijo
|
 |
|
The information on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice. This site merges and incorporates 'Homeschool Australia' and 'Unschool Australia'.
The Educating Parent acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners, the Custodians of Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people viewing this website.
Advertise on this site.
Australia's premier online annual conferences, lifetime access to video and audio recordings, freebies, notes and associated resource guides.
EVERY SUMMIT IS UNIQUE!
$29 each  2023  2022 2021
$25 each 2020 2019 2017
"Biggest and best Aussie homeschool event of the year!"
Home education is a legal alternative
to school education in Australia.
State and Territory governments are responsible
for regulating home education and have different
requirements, however home educating families
are able to develop curriculum and learning programs
to suit the individual needs of their children.
Without revenue from advertising
by educational suppliers and Google Ads
we could not continue to provide information
to home educators. Please support us by letting
our advertisers know that you found them on
The Educating Parent. Thanks!
|
About
Thank you for visiting!