21 replies to this topic

[Alison]

are there any parents who have educated their children at home either long or short term

I wondered how parents cope with the role and if it benifited their children

I am at the wonderful stage of changing my daughter from primary to secondary school and I am now in the limbo stage of waiting for appeals to get my daughter into a school of our choice and I am beginning to understand why parents choose to take their children out of school and educate from home, the whole choosing schools proceedure is a nightmare!!

I dont think I have to patience to even contemplait teaching my own children but I would be interested to hear if others have managed it

[mundia]

Sorry Alison, thought i'd bring this back up for attention as none had replied to you. I know there are several websites for home teachers but dont know the exact addresses. perhaps our other member willl know?
We taught our daughter largely ourselves until she was 9, but that was because we were living overseas at the same and there was no international school for her to attend.
I wouldnt have dreamed of doing it once she reached 11, as my own subject knowledge would not have been good enough in all subjects. I also think she would have missed out on the social aspect of school. She hates it as it is having 2 parents who are teachers and she is very clear that our role is one of 'parent' and not one of 'teacher'. I think its very difficult to combine both. I also think we would drive each other round the bend, spending so much time together.

Obviously if you are serious about considering it, I can only recommend that you do your homework well and find out if there is a local network of home educators where you live.

Any other members with experience on this one?

[Alison]

Hi Mundia

no Im not thinking of teaching my child at home though I have threatened it as a last resort if we are not given a choice but our local high school

yes the children I have known who are home educated have poor social skills though I would have thought this would be different if the child has attended primary school

but no dont worry its only a desperation thought and I will send her to privete school first so its not a serious consideration but it was one that got me thinking..... how do parents balance the role as parent and teacher and how do they stay focused and motivated I would loose interest after 2 weeks and want a lie in!!!!

am I the only parent who finds working with other people kids alot easier than their own? I dont think so.......

[Nicola Call]

There are a lot of parents here in the USA who homeschool. Many of them argue that their chidlren have better social skills than those who attend school, or maybe different ones. They tend to mix with a wide range of people of different ages, eg attending art classes with adults, homeschool groups with a variety of ages according to the interest they are following. Food for thought - just because our society nomr is that all children mix with 29 or so peers of the same age, doesnt mean that this is the only way to gain social skills.

I know of a board where there are some serious homeschoolers, so if you're interested, pm me and I'll give you the link. Unfortunately though it has mostly American members, so much of what they say is not necessarily relevant. Plus a few are homeschooling because they had bad experiences themselves in school, or are rather anti-school and teacher - you have to take a deep breath occasionally as you read! There are often sweeping statements made about 'all' schools and 'all' teachers........But there are some knowledgeable and experienced people there. it makes for some interesting reading - I find it inspiring sometimes just to lurk, read, and learn from them. :D

[Nicola Call]

Another point - sorry to go on!

Often people know of homeschooled children who they say lack social skills. But you need to bear in mind that sometimes children are being homeschooled because they have different needs regarding social skills. Often very able children can seem to be 'odd' socially, because they are operating differently to their peers. Their parents withdraw them from school because they are not able to socially adapt to that environment. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong in this per se - some people are not naturally inclined to mix in big groups and learn the same way or things as others.

Also, we can regard conform to a somewhat unnatural environment and see them as being essential skills for a young child. Eg, being able to sit in a circle and answer a register, or walk in line to an assembly, or raise a hand to speak, are essential for a young child in most schools. But if you don't go to school, you don't need to be able to do those things. You need better skills in interacting with older and younger children, you may need to be able to push the trolley round the supermarket and work out the shopping list for the week, you might need to be able to work the washer and dryer in a way that a child in school would not experience, you might balance the cheque book for your mum, you might go to an adult education pottery class or computer skills workshop - the possibilities are endless.

Of course, some parents homeschool with a formal curriculum much like a school. Others school more from 'real life' and argue that their children have better social and life skills at the end than they would have had from the unnatural environment of a school.

Just some thoughts to keep in mind. It's a fascinating topic with a lot of room for debate

[Steve]

The wife of the vicar in our local church has four children who she has brought up and educated at home, very successfully by all accounts. I haven't met them but they seem happy and well adjusted to those who have.

I think there are two interesting aspects to the philosophy of home education. First, it is easy to cover the curriculum requirements so much more efficiently and faster at home, since you're not competing for attention with 30 children, and the teacher doesn't have to deal with the inertia of engaging the attention and co-operation of a whole class.

Second, if you can find a small number of like-minded friends with children, it's quite possible to consider the option of bringing them together and sharing the responsibility, which also gets over the potential problem of a lack of 'socialisation' of the children.

In our less restrained moments, Helen and I have considered this, but common sense prevailed and we realised, at least in our case, that the self-discipline requirements would be beyond us, not to mention the long term commitment we need to give to being on top of all the subject matter!

Interesting subject though! :)

[Nicola Call]

Steve, you are so right about the way a teacher can get through the curriculum in a fraction the time at home!

My daughter is an early reader, desperate to read and write at all opportunities (she's three). Just this morning, alongside my household chores, washing the playhouse and tea sets with both children, painting and sticking glitter to a huge ceramic turtle, (don't ask ), building with polydron, all whilst I was also looking after my toddler, we've put in more than she'd ever get in a literacy session in Yr R. Yesterday she made five books, fully illustrated. There is no way she could do this in school, not with adult help on hand. And the beauty is that it is so relaxed and fun for her, no stress, just learning naturally but with the adult help she demands (loudly) about spelling/reading everythign in sight. Eg "Mummy, mummy - tell me, how do you spell 'polydron'. Is it with a 'p'? Then what comes next? Write it mummy, please". Sometimes I just want to run away and hide under a table or something.

So, the curriculum wouldn't be a problem, at least until you get to secondary level. Sharing with likeminded friends can help to ease the burden, and to get a richness of input from other sources. But as you say, it is a huge commitment. I'm not sure that I am up to the job beyond 4 or 5 LOL.

[Alison]

wow theres some intereseting points to think about

this week My daughter came home from school for the holiday she has been set the task of revising for her sats I have helped her make a folder for the three main topics and we have been working through some ideas and practise sats papers I am amazed what children learn at key stage 2 and the thought of teaching any higher I would need alot of help I dont think it is an impossible task and I do find my eldest daughter easy to teach, my younger daughter how ever is cheek on legs and I think she needs the disapline of school.

we have sent off all our appeal letters and inquired to 2 local privete schools one is too expencive and the other is full most of the other schools in the area require entrance exams and I dont agree with selective school they should be open to all abilities (but thats another argument!)

so the option of teaching at home in september is becoming a bit of a sarcatic joke in our house and my daughter is pleading with me not to teach her at home though she said she would still prefer to be taught by me than go to the local high school

I joked with a few parents at school(who are in the same situation) about clubbing together and organising a class at home I was half serious I thought between us we could afford a teacher?

[diane]

I am not an expert, but a parent.

The key for learning in all three of my children was reading. It was this that gave each of them control over their own learning.

I firmly believe that children need 'ownership' of their learning in order to progress, and that any adult's role is to help young children acquire skills that can let them do this - not necessarily literacy skills, any skills that the child can then use to build on for further success.


Diane

[Nicola Call]

Diane, I think you are right. Certainly for the primary curriculum, if you can teach your child to read well, then the world is open for you to research other subjects together, especially in this day and age with the internet. However, I think many parents might find today's primary maths curriculum challenging. :D

As for the upper end of the secondary level, you need a broad base of knowledge and understanding, and there is all the coursework to take into account - very different to the days when we all went to school! It can be done, but it's very demanding. I would imagine though that it would also be very rewarding. Maybe if you can group with other parents to afford teachers for certain areas of the curriculum, then use parents strengths to cover other areas........

It would be a big challenge to organise, but not impossible. A lot of parents do it here in the USA.

Let us know how things go. Your poor daughter must be very anxious about what is going to happen. It's such a big change for them, I hope it works out well for you.

[Gezabel]

Hi
I can't remember the exact address but just type "education otherwise" in your search engine and it will give you the link!! Great site for anyone considering educating at home - covers all aspects including legalities.

I did think about it some years ago and then I thought again!!!! I know it can and does work and really its just a question of parental choice I guess.
Good luck!

[diane]

Well, as for learning in the home..............

That's where most of it takes place, even at the secondary education stage (11-16 -where I am with one of mine, beyond with one, and not up to it with the last).

Everything that goes on, from birth onwards, is supported at home. At pre-school, it is the "partnership". When my children were there, they needed more than the pre-school could possibly give: they needed steps to literacy and numeracy, which I did through games; they needed to develop their creativity (lots of stories, role play, singing, craft activities, etc.); they needed to develop their independence (lots of participation in day-to-day activities) and their social skills (friends here).

At the primary stage, it is just the same, and at home the aim is to develop (or instill) additional skills (e.g. to encourage curiosity, so that the child does its' own research, using books, internet, etc). The most important thing is to value the child's efforts at school and at home, and to encourage the extensions at home (e.g. when a child has engaged in creative writing at school and can continue this at home).

No difference at secondary: it all all do do with keeping learning exciting and giving encouragement. As parents (teachers?) we can make even the most boring subjects exciting: see the 'Horrible History' books and others of that ilk. Why isn't all learning so easy?

The important thing is to educate our children to be eager learners. They need to see us keen to do learning things (e.g. they need to see us as readers for pleasure and for other purposes). They will soon understand that learning is the key to a lot of fulfillment, and that it doesn't stop at the end of 'formal education'.

It doesn't matter whether it is done at home or in a formal setting, a child's education is the parents' responsibility. Not something that is easy however it is done.

I firmly believe that parents know best what is right for their children, and anyone who choses to educate their child exclusively at home does it for the right reasons. After all, it is not the easy option. If it is right, do it.

[bubblejack]

Dianne,
You are so right. Everyday life experiences should all compliment each other. Unfortunately many parents do not think this way for various reasons. Parents sometimes bring their children to our pre-school and label them as being out of control at 2.9mths.They have every confidence that "I will sort them out". I feel saddened to think that they may not have enjoyed having them at home as much as I will enjoy watching them develop at pre-school.

[Julie.s]

Hi Alison
what an interesting topic to start. I think that many parents are considering home schooling as an option these days. i know that on the large estate where i live (which feeds two priamry schools) there is a small bt growing community of home schoolers. I recently found out that we even had one child in our street who is being home educated. the estate had clubs that meet during the week for social events swimming, football etc and this ensures that the children recieve a wide and varied curriculum and social life with those all important social skills.
I personally feel that some of the most important skills for socialisation are taught in the home. many children i have met in schools and play groups are lacking in social graces because of poor parenting.
i would say look into this and give it plenty of research. apparently if you spen ten minutes with your child a day in a literacy activity, then this is the equivelent, if not more, of an hour of attention in a litteracy hour at school.
there seems to be lots of internet stuff available that can be downloaded to help you at home and if you can find other home educators close to you, you will probably get a lot of help and support.
it is something that i am considering at the moment with my two daughters and they are very enthusiastic.