Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

What is all the Fuss about Reading (Fiction) Anyway!
(continued)

I think perhaps that the greatest tool we use for learning in this family is talking - and we all learned how to do this so naturally in our first years - without being taught!

It is a changing world. I am sure books will never disappear. The advent of computers has seen an enormous rise in the popularity of books and board games. However, other ways of learning deserve much more merit than they are currently given as learning tools.

We all read and write in this family - we 'read' all sorts of different media, and we write purposefully. I wonder if anybody else is fed up with all the hype about the importance of reading - and by that I mean the sort of reading encouraged in education, mostly fiction.

I believe from experience that learning to read, in order to make sense of your environment and to be able to act effectively in it, comes from being immersed in a world where reading, like talking, is valued as a communication tool. Learning to read is a very natural thing to do, given this support. Reading fiction is like the cream on top of the cake - it has a very important role to play in society, much like artwork, music and performance. But it isn't essential to love fiction to learn how to read, or to be encouraged as a reader. Perhaps the emphasis should shift from reading fiction when we teach our children how to read, to reading for meaning and information.

This does not preclude the reading of stories to babies and toddlers. Or demonstrating our love for stories, or encouraging this love for stories in others. Stories can be told many ways, and books are a very important tool for communicating our stories. And children, both at school and at home, need the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of fiction, for many mind expanding and enriching reasons.

I have no argument against reading fiction, or learning to love it. I only wish it wasn’t the dominant way reading, as a necessary skill in our society, is taught to children!

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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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