Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Reflecting on Home Education
(continued)

Over the years I have blended structure and non-structure in learning programs as I have felt and seen the need to interfere in my children's development. After twelve years I firmly believe interference is the right word to use, not education. Given a loving, supportive environment children learn all they need to without their parents setting educational agendas and activities. My interference has always reflected the trust I have felt in their ability to develop, and has been heavily judgmental based on my own social contexts and background. Marion Pears once wrote that parents should undergo therapy before parenting - I suggest parenting is therapy, perhaps the best kind! With open hearts and open minds we learn much from our children, about ourselves.

Home education gives us the opportunity to 'grow up' again, to learn about true responsibility, about the world and our place in it. Without my children's free will, without offering them true choice, I thrust home education, a radical social experiment, upon them at a young age. This was not for their benefit but to fulfil a need of my own. This need was not recognised until the experiment was well under way, years later. I know I wouldn't change a thing, and I know they are happy with my decision after twelve years of home education mixed with a little school experience. I have immersed my life in their development and education so that I may grow.

Because I have always recognised this process as one of my own growth, instead of my children becoming 'my life', as people around have feared and suggested, I am more able to let my children grow up in their own way, to trust in their own development and abilities, as I find faith in my own. I know that they will always be teaching me new ways of perceiving my own view of reality.

At this stage in my life I feel finally ready to seriously indulge in a longed-for career, a career I knew I was destined for as a child, but lost the drive for somewhere in my teens. The choice to do this has been a difficult one, fraught it with misgivings and lack of confidence. The fear of failure has held me back long enough. The voices of misguided 'elders' echoing down through my life are being phased out by my inner hearing - it is time to set aside all the excuses and take the plunge. By fully acknowledging my skills and talents, and giving them room to be exercised more fully in my life, I know I am demonstrating the importance of 'life work' to my children.

As they grow and become adults I feel a tremendous responsibility to find my path beyond parenting. In essence though, this is simply yet another stage of the parenting journey! Choosing to home educate my children has given me far more than I could ever have envisaged at the beginning!

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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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