Shifting To The Homeschooling Way

am on a mission to talk to educators, homeschoolers, and un-schoolers. I want to know what fires you up about education. Why do you believe that your chosen educational approach is the best one? How do you think it benefits children?

I also want to know what worries you about education. What keeps you up at night? Are there things you would like to see changed?

This week I had the opportunity to meet Hannah from LinkedIn. She helps home-education families in their learning journey. 

Hannah believes that homeschooling allows her children to be in charge of their learning and to follow their interests.

She started her journey long back when she realized that the education system was very rigid, and it didn't work for her children.

She is very passionate about it. She has seen a lot of change in her children, and they are doing very well. Thankfully she has support from her family.

I asked her what she thinks are the advantages of home-schooling. She said that the main advantage is that her children are learning how to learn. They are not afraid to ask questions or to fail. And they are learning to follow their interests.

I think this is a great approach for families who want to give their children a different kind of education. It is important to remember that home-schooling is not for everyone, and it takes a lot of commitment from the parents. But if you are willing to put in the work, it can be a great way to learn for your children.

I asked Hannah about the reliance on digital tools for learning. She said that they use a lot of different resources, both digital and non-digital.

She said though her children are asked to read what they read is their choice.

There are no rules about how much or little they read. There is no age defined for reading.

They are not bound by the traditional school system.

She shares how she helped one family where a child was struggling with maths. The schools decide quite early that this child is not good with numbers and put them in the lower set. The child was very discouraged and the parents were struggling to find a way to help their child. They reached out to Hannah, and she helped them by providing resources and finding a way to make maths fun for the child.

Hannah says that there is no rule that children cannot do a certain thing because of their age or because they are struggling with it.

I was lucky to meet Hannah's kids, and they are very inquisitive and so full of life. I could see that they were learning a lot from Hannah.

Hannah's advice for parents is to relax and enjoy the journey. Don't put too much pressure on yourself or your children. Let them learn at their own pace and in their way.

I think this is great advice for any parent, whether you are home-schooling or not. We all want what is best for our children, and sometimes we can get caught up in the idea that there is only one right way to do things. But the reality is that every child is different and every family is different. What works for one child might not work for another.

I always emphasize these four to five points when I am talking to educators as the theme of conversations:

1. Digital Learning - A lot of people are still skeptical about using digital resources for learning. I think it is important to remember that there are a lot of great digital resources out there, and they can be very helpful for learners.
2. Skills for the future- It is important to focus on teaching children the skills they will need in the future. This includes things like creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Hannah is implementing this by helping her kids be free to explore their interests.
3. Integrated parenting - Many homeschoolers have integrated their work and family life. Like Hannah who is working from home and helping her kids at the same time.
4. Conscious parenting- There is a lot of research that shows that children who are raised more consciously tend to be more successful in life. This includes things like being attuned to your child's needs, providing them with love and support, and teaching them how to regulate their emotions. I think it is important to remember that there is no one right way to parent or educate a child. Every family is different, and every child is different. What works for one family might not work for another. It is important to find what works for you and your child. Hannah is also a big proponent of conscious parenting, which is about being present and mindful in your interactions with your children.
5. Alternate learning- I think it is important to remember that there are a lot of alternate ways of learning. This includes things like unschooling, homeschooling, and online learning. Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to find what works for you and your family.

Any parent not happy with the traditional schooling system, looking for an alternative, or just curious about unschooling should explore this option. It is important to remember that unschooling is not for everyone, and it takes a lot of commitment from the parents. But if you are willing to put in the work, it can be a great way to learn for your children.

I am enjoying meeting all of these different people and hearing about their experiences with education. It is so interesting to see the different perspectives and how people are approaching education in their unique way. I am looking forward to meeting more people and learning more about this topic!