Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Finding Time

I am a busy person. I seem to fill my days with many activities and barely find enough time to do my chores. Having my children around me all day increases my activities as I am constantly needed to listen, look and help, and answer a thousand questions. This can be frustrating at times, especially when I specifically want to do something.

For example, today I was just about to plant some new seedlings when Thomas, aged four, asked me to crack an egg! Adventurous son was involved in making up a 'mixture' he intended to cook on our wood stove and eat. He just had to include as many ingredients from our cupboards as he could find, and it took some time to explain why some were unsuitable for a cake!

Then came the discussion about the pros and cons of cooking it in the oven. It turned out he was unable to wait the thirty to forty minutes it would take to get the oven up to temperature, and so the decision was made to pan fry the cake in a heavy frying pan!

Fifteen minutes later he was enjoying his chocolate 'pan' cake, and half an hour later I was able to plant my seedlings - with his willing and enthusiastic help.

Despite the frustration I could see the pay offs in having my day constantly interrupted by my children, with my activities diverted, changed or stopped altogether. One is the knowledge that my children are learning things relevant to their needs, at their own intuitive pace. I also cherish the time we spend together in this way.

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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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