(At the time of writing, Jane's children, age 6, 3 and 2, had never been to school, other than one day for the oldest! Note that HE is a standard UK abbreviation for Home Education. See current update at the end of the second page of Jane's account)
Jane writes:
My eldest Son is six - though I consider us to have been home educating since he was born. Most of the time I am really relaxed and confident in his progress. He is ahead of his school-going peers despite not doing formal work. I do wonder if I would be as confident if he was not reading and writing. My 3 1/2 year old Son is now learning his alphabet and is asking to learn to read and write - which amazes me a little as he has been completely autonomous (and I have days when I panic). Whereas in the early days of my eldest Son learning to read etc we did do a few workbooks and followed a reading scheme - although he enjoyed, it was with my encouragement.
These days we are relaxed and let the children decide exactly what they want to do. We have weeks where they watch tv all day - that are usually followed by weeks of using the computer, or reading, or building, or playing pirates etc.
Children more relaxed with autonomous learning
What I notice most is that they are much happier these days - there is much less stress and their writing has improved greatly since I stopped telling them to write! My eldest refused to write anything for a while - yet now he makes newspapers, books, and has designed endless posters over the last few days to go on his door (mainly ones saying go away - boys only etc!! - though their Sister refuses to take no for an answer!)
Typical child-led activities
Today we have been discussing stress, energy and relaxation - and the part iron plays in our body. We thought up some activities that would be relaxing - and had a go at sewing - making friendship books for each other out of felt scraps. Even the three year old enjoyed it. We thought about our pulse rate and our breathing before and after the sewing etc. Then we got distracted by my button box and ended up playing 'hunt the thimble'.
We chatted to our neighbour for a while (in her eighties and very HE positive!! I told her a while back I was looking at schools and she gave me a lecture on how great the boys are and how I should never send them to school as it will ruin all my hard work!) The boys laid out a picnic for lunch, and now they are using different codes (morse/ semaphore etc) on the computer.
Today is a fairly average day. I can't see things changing too much in the future. I like the fact that our lives are as relaxed as possible. My Son has 'educational' CDRoms mixed up with his games, and has 'workbooks' mixed up with his story books. They have access to all their toys, art stuff, books, computer etc constantly so they can choose what and when. The times when I think about whether their activity is 'educational' are getting fewer and fewer thankfully.
Although we believe that learning is happening all the time - we still feel it is important to create a different atmosphere at the weekends. So although weekdays are relaxed - our weekends are often even more so!!
Regular social activities
On Mondays and Thursdays we go to a 4 o'clock club in the local park community centre - where they get to play and do arts and crafts etc with local children. I volunteer there too, which means the younger two get to stay and join in - so we are off to that this afternoon. The other children have been to school all day - and don't hesitate in telling Chris how boring it is!
We meet up with local HE families fortnightly as a group - and in between we meet either on an individual basis, or for extra activities and trips: an art gallery today (though we have not gone) - a walk on Saturday, swimming or to an indoor play park. We have a circus display to go and see next week.
Some of my friends whose children are in school tell me how great school is - but I also have some close friends who are more honest about the good and the bad aspects of it! When I have doubting days it is good to hear how Chris compares to his school-going friends. I worried a while back about what he is missing re. school plays etc. But we have now got him involved with alternatives outside of school and so I am not concerned at all.
Importance of other home educating friends
I do feel it is important to have a home educating role model - someone to go to when you are in need of encouragement and inspiration. I have a friend who I visit regularly. Even if I have been doubting myself and the whole idea of HE, just one afternoon with this friend is enough to remind me of why am doing this in the first place. My friend isn't the perfect HE Parent - she struggles with aspects of it, but she is so sure in what she is doing and always manages to make me feel good about myself again! Her three children (soon to be 4!) are a credit to her! I know too that she herself has a role model who helps her - and so it goes on! I do think this is important. I also think this is why Education Otherwise - and local HE groups are important - contact with other HE families for support is vital.
Other approaches to home
education:
Gayle
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Heather - Henrietta
- Kathie
- Paula
- Sue