Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Patience!

When I boldly inform people, who inquire why my children are not at school, that we home school, I am usually met with the response, especially from mothers, "I would never have the patience to teach my children at home!"

I usually reply by asking, "What patience does it need to look after the educational, physical and emotional needs of up to thirty children, all the same age with similar developmental needs and problems, clamouring for attention all at once!"

Have these parents given consideration to how much patience the teachers of their children have? How teachers manage to share their attention between thirty children? What type of behaviour management techniques are employed? How much of the actual teaching time these techniques consume? And what actually happens to thirty children’s emotional, moral, intellectual and physical development when their teacher can no longer cope?!!

The patience needed to look after the needs of my three children, including their educational needs, and also my own and my partner’s needs, are much more realistic by comparison, and I believe far more obtainable!

Sometimes I am questioned further by these well meaning parents - "But what about your children’s socialisation?" To which I answer confidently, "In the absence of unnecessary pressure to conform and perform to other people’s standards, bullying and examples of other generally unsociable behaviour, my children learn with their self confidence and self esteem intact. When they choose to socialise it is with a range of people from diverse age groups and backgrounds, and they do so with confidence and respect."

People generally leave me alone after that.

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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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