Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Robin and Home Education

Robin writes on home education:
Homeschooling to me used to mean that whenever I got home from work the kids were always there. If I had a day off they were there. I really didn’t have a lot to do with their education, but since leaving full time work due to injury I get more of a feel of what it really means to be a homeschooling dad.

Initially I thought I had to sit down with the kids doing endless, boring book work, but I am beginning to realise this isn’t what education really means. Education is really just living, and doing. The best way to learn something is by doing it. If you need help find someone who can already do it, who can help and is sympathetic to your needs.

My kids come to me all the time asking for help with this project or that, or simply asking questions about all manner of things. I do my best to help them. I do recognise that I am not always sympathetic or tolerant, especially when I am busy with my own work. I think it is important to involve the children with the things that I am doing as well as taking an interest in what they are doing.

I have recently employed Roger to help me with various paid handyman jobs in the local area. I believe paying him an hourly wage helps him to value the work he does. Roger and I are also studying Personal Computer Repair through a orrespondence school and eventually we will start our own business. April and I are rebuilding a car, which she will be able to use when she learns to drive. Together we have assembled the major components and hope to have it up and running soon.

Thomas and I are slowly building a petrol driven go-cart, and I have helped him build his cubby house. At the moment we are all busy building a workshop and games room, and the children are learning to competently use power tools and carpentry skills. All the kids help with landscaping and gardening jobs, and take an interest in my hobby which is alternative power systems.

Their level of general knowledge surprises most people we meet. I attribute this to their wider learning experiences and their ability to involve themselves in discussion with people all ages.

I like homeschooling because it is flexible and allows me to be with my kids more, not just first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This has allowed us to be more than just parent and children, but real friends.

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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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