Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Introduction

My passion is writing, and I have enjoyed combining it with my interest in home education. In this collection of essays I explore many issues relating to home education, as they have personally affected me, both as a home educating parent and as an active promoter and supporter of the home education movement.

I learn through writing; the words I see unfolding on the page tell me who I am, what motivates me, what is important in my life. They help to clarify my views and define my values. I find I learn best when writing. Through writing I sift through the thoughts of others, presented to me in either books, the media or conversation. I mentally collate these
thoughts then shape my responses on paper, rewriting and refining them, gradually forming new values, attitudes and awareness within myself. I construct personal meaning as I write letters to friends, or articles for journals and newsletter.

I feel really blessed to be given the opportunity to explore and develop my passion for writing at this time in my life, and gratefully acknowledge the role my family's journey into home education has played in empowering me to do so.
A few years ago I compressed a decade of home education experience into a manual for new homeschoolers - "Getting Started With Home Schooling; Practical Considerations".

Most of my information comes from personal experience, but the years of editing two newsletters, SA Home Based Learners and Fleurieu Home Based Learners Network, enriched that experience with the stories told by other home educators.

I thank all those people who have helped me learn and grow as a home educator, especially my dear friends, Susan Kilgour, Sue Osborne, Jill Miller, Grace Chapman, Majella Fiedler, Patti Hutton, Melinda Waddy, Vanessa Albanus. Thanks also go to the late John Holt, who challenged my thoughts with his two books, "How Children Learn" and"How Children Fail" and launched my interest in home education; and also to John Peacock, our eminent Australian home educator and researcher; Joanne Bierne, the Corrigan family, and all the editors of the numerous Australian and US based newsletters - too many to mention individually. All of these people have helped to shape my thoughts and offered much support over the years.

A special place is held in my heart for Dorothy Casanova and her family, who took me under wing in the first two years of our home education odyssey and convincing me that all was possible at a time when home education was rarely heard of.
Many of the following essays have been published in journals and newsletters in Australia and overseas. Some are snatches of private correspondence I have written to dear friends. I hope you enjoy reading them, as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

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More than 60 essays covering a wide range of home schooling concerns and issues, such as late readers, value of play, socialisation, learning maths, part time school, and thoughts on testing. Learning in the Absence of Education is an intimate and honest look at day-to-day homeschooling life spanning several years. Includes articles on learning maths, reading and writing, spelling, socialisation, part time schooling, fathers and homeschooling, value of play, grading and testing, coping with stress and illness, and much more.

"These essays are the real life experiences of a long term home educator and activist and make inspiring reading... a valuable resource for all those interested in home education.... What I particularly appreciate are the personal day-to-day stories that are so specific in the incident or outcome These are essays written over time that reflect natural learning (read life) as it really happens.

I really enjoy Beverley's writing style in this book. It is very direct, sometimes even challenging the reader. She tries to be scrupulously honest always so we read of advantages and disadvantages of whatever topic she is discussing. She will also point out the ideal situation and how she thinks she falls short. Sometimes she is self-deprecating; sometimes she glows with enthusiasm for their successful lifestyle. There are touches of humour and sometimes wry cynicism.

Hopefully this book will answer many people's questions and fears about natural learning. It is all in here: how right it feels when natural learning is working well, what happens when we have insecurities ourselves, and the results so far. By presenting the natural learning case in this essay style, Beverley has been able to reflect the different moods, the ups and downs, that make the book a valuable resource for all those interested in home education, whatever their current style."
Janine Banks, home educator, Qld

ISBN 1876651016, 128 pages... $22.95

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Homeschool Australia SA HE Network Unschool~Kidz! About Beverley Paine

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