Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Learning At Our Place - August 1997

We are always busy. It is almost like an addiction! We only work casual and when we're not doing that, there is plenty to do around home.

Roger is flexing his muscles, helping out with all kinds of landscaping and building work, and enjoying it. He never does anything he doesn’t want to, so motivation and co-operation are high. I have found that provided he is left with plenty of ‘free’ time to do his own thing, he is a willing and excellent worker. He has ‘matured’ into enjoying reading - all manner of things, but especially magazines. The things that really held his attention a year or two ago are often put aside to do real life meaningful work. But he still finds plenty of time to play imaginatively with Thomas who is four years younger.

Both April and Roger have demonstrated, and continue to, the effectiveness of a ‘natural learning’ style of parenting. Most of this has only been apparent in the teen years, so if you are worrying about letting the kids ‘play’ all day before this age, hang on, the wait is worth it.

I am finding it easy to ask both boys to do forty minutes of text book maths three times a week now they are older. I am not quite sure why I am asking them to do this - I think it is mostly to reassure me they are acquiring the maths skills necessary in life. Perhaps I just can't give up on my own educational bias from my youth. Roger wouldn’t entertain regular ‘book work’ before the age of thirteen, but at fifteen is an interested and diligent ‘student’. For some reason Thomas has picked up on this. This week saw him searching me out in the garden, demanding I come in and watch him do his maths! I have found this maths complements the maths he ‘picks’ up in his environment. It also demonstrates the value and necessity of how to record maths problems, something we don't come across very often with a lifestyle approach to education. On his on initiative Thomas charted the weather every hour for one day, and then Robin and he graphed the results. This is the third time Thomas has done this over the years. A budding meteorologist?

I have begun reading aloud each day again. Thomas is a critical listener, and prefers action stories that ‘sound’ well when read. So do I! Our reading sessions are wonderful times of sharing times where we can bond, and last up to an hour. I think this is one of the reasons I don't schedule in reading aloud often - time is a precious commodity in our house and we guard our individual time jealously!

I find that if I don't spend some time each day alone with each child our relationship slips somewhat, and communication becomes much harder. Most of the time we don't need to talk - so much is understood from our mood or non-verbal cues. I love this aspect of being together everyday. It also makes home education so much easier - being able to determine from a glance, movement or tone just what information my child is seeking to know, or how far I can go with an explanation or demonstration.

This closeness is cherished. Some people have called it 'quality' time, and I realised many years ago that it came naturally with 'quantity' time. For me it is the best part of home education.

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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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