Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

The Grass Is Always Greener...

The grass is always greener... No matter what I say, or how I phrase our story, others say "you are lucky, you have that....." though life in our home learning situation is idyllic. Well, perhaps it is, but only by conscious design and hard work!

We live in the country on a beautiful scenic hillside, full of wide open spaces, plenty of room and lots of mature trees. Add to this the extra time Robin puts in, our 'alternate' lifestyle, the fact we have three children, our fantastic Lego collection and several computers, our 'farmyard' collection of small animals, have built our own house, grown our own forest and the result is an enviable position.

People seem to want to construe these elements in our lives as the reasons for our perceived success as home educators. As though these things give us the edge, an advantage others can't seem to find in their own lives, to create the same level of success for themselves. I find at this point people seem to stop listening to what I am saying - usually the true reasons we are successful. The ones that have nothing to do with access to resources or physical environment. The ones that cycle and recycle endlessly in my conversations with people - we practice trust, faith and patience. We trust that the children can and will learn, we have faith that it will happen, and we practice patience to allow the process to unfold without too much unnecessary interference or intervention.

That is the secret of our success. Working with the children with awareness, regardless of our environment or the materialistic trappings that go with it. Learning to start at the centre, where the child is at, placing him or her at the centre and building educational programs around the individual.

We've learned to listen with our hearts to our children's needs, not the outer voice of society, the voice of culture that echoes around in our heads and tells what we should be doing and when. I prefer to change 'should' into 'could' - it is a far more positive and less damaging word. We listen with the voice of our hearts, and find within it an echo of our children's hearts, of the hearts of the children we once were. That is our guide. Giving our children the childhood they deserve.

We aim everyday to spend more time loving our children in the now and less time worrying about their future. We spend each day getting on with the business of living a full, happy life of our own, fulfilling our own needs as living, growing people. Knowing that only this example will suffice to show our children the way to fulfillment and happiness as adults.

Often I find myself advising families not to get stuck in unrealistic expectations - just allow themselves and their children to be, and let time roll on and do the rest of the work for them! At the very least examine the motivations and causes of those expectations, and see if they really fit the individual person having to wear them.

It isn't what we have, or where we live, or the intrinsic skills we bring to our children, that make our natural learning lifestyle so successful and happy. More than these things our success depends upon our attitude. Trust, Faith, and Patience! It may sound all too simple, too easy, "it can't be true" I hear people say. Ah, the voice of doubt - the voice in the head. The heart wants it to be true.... go for the heart! TRUST, HAVE FAITH, BE PATIENT.

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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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