Looking for support, reassurance and information?
Join Beverley's The Educating Parents Homeschooling and Unschooling Facebook online group.

Barcode Free Education

by Beverley Paine

A friend of mine is participating in a 'barcode free' diet for a month. The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) came up with the idea: it's a challenge to consume whole foods only for 30 days. She said their definition of a whole food "is any item of food or drink that doesn't carry a bar code, other than spring water and any nutritional or herb supplements. So, they're suggesting no canned food, processed bread or cheese, no milk unless raw, no ready-made meals or sauces, no cordials, no fizzy drinks." In other words, something completely unprocessed.

Which got me thinking, what if we did the same with home education? Spend a month not using anything that has been created for the purpose of education; that is, created with the intention of teaching someone something. I think it would be a lot harder than it sounds.

In an extreme version, as home educating parents, we'd need to clear our minds of that constant clatter to take advantage of whatever resource or opportunity that crops up that could help our children learn whatever it is we're currently keen on them learning.

But perhaps it would really only require us to spend some time being creative and imaginative, using natural materials and everyday opportunities to explain what we mean, illustrate a concept or point, work through problems and answer questions without reaching for a book, worksheet, instructions, a guide, or the internet?

Little children learn this way naturally every day. They learn by doing. And while they are doing they are thinking and reflecting and observing. Observing themselves as learners as well as observing everything else that's happening as they are doing. They trust in their ability to learn and do. And they're happy to express their frustration and to demand help -- and to express their frustration when the help they need isn't delivered quickly enough or in the appropriate manner! Motivation to learn is high in those early years.

Perhaps that's because everything is still raw... wholesome and holistic, unprocessed. Ready to be experienced by the senses without too much interference from what others think is right or best or appropriate for them. Little children love to roam and explore and often ignore our attempts to direcd them to the gadgets, toys and items we think are best for them!

Could a 'barcode free' experiment over a week or a month be a short cut to understanding and experiencing the joys of unschooling? Or an experiment that helps along the deschooling process? I say, it's definitely worth a try!

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.

Thank you for your gift contribution!

Option 1 $1.00 AUD Option 2 $5.00 AUD Option 3 $10.00 AUD Option 4 $20.00 AUD

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

Want to learn how to write your own education plans to suit
your unique children's individual learning needs?

Looking for quality curriculum and teaching tips ?

Over 1000 reassuring and informative articles to help
build your confidence as an Educating Parent

You are invited to join Home Education Australia!
One well-organised space to find and share information,
resources links and more to support all home educators
across Australia, including a directory of posts and threads , where you can source all your needs related to home education and find what others are seeking and finding within Australia.

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

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.

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 Connect with Beverley and ask questions through her online The Educating Parents Homeschooling and Unschooling Facebook support groups.

"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

Natural Learning and Unschooling Pack Each Pack contains a copy of the following: Natural Learning Natural Learning Answers A5 or A4 Learning Naturally Diary Learning Maths Naturally A Sample Approved Natural Learning Program and Review Only $29 or $33 Select A4 or A5 Diary A5 diary $29.00 AUD A4 diary $33.00 AUD

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!