This page is for parents who are educating their children at home. It is not designed for families where children are working through material provided by a school online. For assistance with this, please contact us by email.

There are many, many quotes about education, but one that resonates with us is from Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring, which, in the early ‘60’s, raised concerns about the environment:

“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full or wonder and excitement.”

We argue that the purpose of education is to foster that wonder and excitement.

It is not difficult to keep wonder and excitement at the forefront of learning in the home. A few simple principles make it clear what is great learning and what is not:

1. Wonder is about questions, particularly about what is interesting and relevant to us.
2. Excitement is about finding out what is relevant and important to us, but also about the realisation that there is more to find out.

Therefore, whatever activity is happening with children, of any age,

-       Don’t try to re-create school (More below)

-       Ask, more than you tell. (Always reply to a question with a question to lead the child to find the answer themselves. Sample questions are below.)

-       As often as possible, provide a simple framework for the child before the activity, so that she/he can reflect on it afterwards. (Examples below.)

-       Use technology for learning, not filling in time. (Although everyone can do with some mindless “time out” from time to time.) (Guidelines below.)

-       Aim for a mix of physical, creative and intellectual experiences.

-       Most importantly, make it easy and satisfying for you and your children.



You can read a bit more detail or head straight to the Activities page.

Don't try to re-create school:

Schools are set up to educate large numbers of children. They usually have set routines about what, how, when and where something is  learned.

At home, there are opportunities for children to learn about things in real-life contexts that are not possible in most schools. With a small number of children at home and closer supervision, learning can be more flexible.

Home schooling is an opportunity to focus on lifelong skills so that children can learn independently.

It might be a good idea to have schedules, but the best learning happens is when an activity runs to its natural conclusion.

Learning takes as long as it takes.

A mix of activities:

Real life doesn't happen as mathematics, history, science, etc. It happens as events.

For example, cooking activities involve measurement (mathematics), mixing sunstances and watching them change (science) and, often, some creativity.

During each day, if children have opportunities to create something, think deeply about something, do some physical activity and just "chill" they will have had a balanced day.

Questions to ask:

A first step in encouraging children to think is the "See, think, wonder" routine.

for any activity, you can ask

- What do you see?

- What do you think is going on?

- what does it make you wonder?

At any stage, when a child asks a question (particularly young children), a very effective reply is

"I'm not sure. How can we find out?"

Using technology for learning:

Since the beginning  of the century, educators have been talking about the "4 C's" of  21st century education:

1.     Critical thinking
2.     Creativity
3.     Collaboration
4.     Communication

Critical Thinking

The easiest way to use technology for critical thinking is to fact check information. This is probably best done with older children.

Creativity

There are so many apps for being creative.

As long as children are writing, composing music, making videos, constructing virtual objects, etc., they are usefully engaged.

Collaboration

The collaborative possibilities of technology are endless. Catching up with friends, solving problems with others, playing music, performing a play, playing games or just sharing experiences are valuable activities.

Communication

Chatting with friends, interviewing people remotely or sending information to others are all very simple and can go some way towards alleviating social isolation.

Of course, whenever a child interacts with someone else online, parents have a responsibility to monitor this and ensure the safety of their child.