Setting the Record Straight
We've received an email from a very nice lady who has read our blog about the kids and is concerned in particular about our son's education. I've (hopefully) reassured her that although we don't do any formal teaching, he still is learning...
From our experience, children who are home educated are eager to learn and be naturally creative. They are used to seeking answers for themselves and enjoy sharing what they find. We have a shelf with "work" books that the kids have dipped into over the years, but of course - the internet now does most of the educating. When we started out, over 10 years ago - we relied on the library to provide us with information on any topics the kids were interested in. They've all learnt basic maths, but none of them have been overly keen and if ever they want to brush up on their sums as they get older - there's always adult education classes!
Our daughters decided to attend college and both managed to get on courses which required formal qualifications - just by impressing the heads of department. Sal now has a degree in photography & Rose is doing her second year of a graphic design degree. Hugo isn't sure whether he'll go to college or university at all and that's fine by us. He is a member of an alternative teens group for home educators in Cornwall and they meet up every 2 weeks and decide for themselves what they are going to do each session. There is a music studio complete with electric guitars, bass guitars, drums and mixing desk. A kitchen where one or two of the kids help to prepare the lunch for the group, a snooker room, computer, tons of board games and they also have a book club, where those who wish to read the chosen book can discuss it. Hugo loves it!
We have never been "pushy" parents, but have always supported our kids in anything they've wanted to do. There does seem to be a feeling amongst home ed families that it's important for the kids to "do" as much as possible for social and educational development, so the parents are rushing from one place to another - picking up kids, dropping them off, becoming exhausted and spending an absolute fortune... Is it necessary? We don't think so. The girls did lots in the beginning, but we were learning from established home-ed families until we found our own way. As adults, we don't feel the need to socialize every day or take night school classes week in and week out, we like to dip in and out of things that interest us and see friends occasionally, so why should our kids be pushed into it?
To get back to the email we received - yes, I suppose it is like having a long holiday, but why not? We think it's been great for our kids to enjoy themselves, there's plenty of time in later life to discover how awful the world can be!
Anyway, back in 2007, we were approached by the BBC to make a small video of our lives. Rose chose not to be in it, but the rest of us appear. Check it out - it's just 2 minutes long...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2007/05/25/videonation_homeed_video_feature.shtml
From our experience, children who are home educated are eager to learn and be naturally creative. They are used to seeking answers for themselves and enjoy sharing what they find. We have a shelf with "work" books that the kids have dipped into over the years, but of course - the internet now does most of the educating. When we started out, over 10 years ago - we relied on the library to provide us with information on any topics the kids were interested in. They've all learnt basic maths, but none of them have been overly keen and if ever they want to brush up on their sums as they get older - there's always adult education classes!
Our daughters decided to attend college and both managed to get on courses which required formal qualifications - just by impressing the heads of department. Sal now has a degree in photography & Rose is doing her second year of a graphic design degree. Hugo isn't sure whether he'll go to college or university at all and that's fine by us. He is a member of an alternative teens group for home educators in Cornwall and they meet up every 2 weeks and decide for themselves what they are going to do each session. There is a music studio complete with electric guitars, bass guitars, drums and mixing desk. A kitchen where one or two of the kids help to prepare the lunch for the group, a snooker room, computer, tons of board games and they also have a book club, where those who wish to read the chosen book can discuss it. Hugo loves it!
We have never been "pushy" parents, but have always supported our kids in anything they've wanted to do. There does seem to be a feeling amongst home ed families that it's important for the kids to "do" as much as possible for social and educational development, so the parents are rushing from one place to another - picking up kids, dropping them off, becoming exhausted and spending an absolute fortune... Is it necessary? We don't think so. The girls did lots in the beginning, but we were learning from established home-ed families until we found our own way. As adults, we don't feel the need to socialize every day or take night school classes week in and week out, we like to dip in and out of things that interest us and see friends occasionally, so why should our kids be pushed into it?
To get back to the email we received - yes, I suppose it is like having a long holiday, but why not? We think it's been great for our kids to enjoy themselves, there's plenty of time in later life to discover how awful the world can be!
Anyway, back in 2007, we were approached by the BBC to make a small video of our lives. Rose chose not to be in it, but the rest of us appear. Check it out - it's just 2 minutes long...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2007/05/25/videonation_homeed_video_feature.shtml
Nice piece Simon, yeah our two who were autonomously home educated have been getting distictions on their college courses we home edded in much the same way that you have said and they are both doing well :)
ReplyDeletebws,
Jenny
Hi Jenny, I actually wrote the above post - but Sime doesn't mind taking the credit for it! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad your two are doing so well. Home educating is definitely one of the best things we have ever done!
Kay