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Getting Started with
Home Schooling:
Practical Considerations

© Grace Chapman, 2004

Is it possible for parents to cater for their children's education from tot to teen? Yes! Australia wide, thousands of people are waking up to the possibility. Not only that, it has been proven many times over by families who have already done it (that is, produced well balanced, educated adults). Parents and children combined are certainly capable of educating themselves.

Consider the beginning of schools in Australia which were designed to control the children of the convicts, the lower classes. It was to "improve the morals of the lower orders and develop religious principles in the young" (Governor Macquarie) and make them "dutiful and obedient" and to "separate them as much as possible from the moral influence of their parents". For the Aboriginal people, it was "to transform them into labourers and semi skilled workers".
(* For an excellent account of the history of schooling in Australia, see Otherways , November issue 2003 "Australian Schooling: A History of Social Control" written by Susan Wight.)

Here we stand two hundred years later, knowing that we have choices, knowing that our society has outgrown the current school system and sensing that there is more than one way to get an education. With technology literally at our fingertips, we can access any information and communicate instantly with people around the world. Tens of thousands of parents across Australia are choosing to educate their own children in their own style-some with guidance from their state's education department and some without that guidance. This could be seen as threatening to governments that have ruled our children's upbringing for centuries. Can we be trusted to educate ourselves and maintain a high standard of living? The answer again is a resounding yes!

Parents who have chosen the role make excellent educators for their children. Some do it with confidence and competence. Others believe they can do it but seek guidance from others. Some want to break away from the mainstream altogether and some want to follow the state's guidelines but they want to do the teaching themselves, believing they can provide a better learning environment than a modern day school can.

How can you be your child's teacher if you're not trained or you left school at fifteen? How can you be at home with your children all day? How do you know what to do? What if your kids ask you a question you don't know the answer to? What about when they're teenagers? What about your career?

As soon as I became a parent, I became our child's first teacher - an instant career change! The fifteen years of being a home based learner and the eight years of communicating with home based learners across Australia through Stepping Stones for Home Educators have proven to me many times over that parents do not have to be certified teachers to be an excellent teacher for their children. I know from my own experience that certified teachers tend to set aside their classroom ways in order to be good teachers in their own home. Instead of being at the front of the pack, organising what and how they will learn, the parent/teacher becomes a true facilitator, bringing their full attention, all of their senses to their relationship with the child and making decisions based on their goals as well as the child's interests. The individualised learning program is developed to its fullest potential. The parent/teacher has the added advantage of inside information about the child and doesn't have to cater for the needs of 25 other children at the same time. This allows plenty of scope for a lifestyle that will develop the child emotionally, spiritually and mentally - a well balanced learning program that is not restricted to the confines of a classroom and schoolyard.

What do I see as some of the essential ingredients for being a good teacher at home?

First and foremost, that the parent chooses the position. If the primary caregiver is balanced, then so is the rest of the family. The children's attitudes and beliefs are shaped by our responses to different situations in everyday life. If we're centred then we are likely to handle any incident, conflict or challenge with ease and simplicity. Another reason why home based learning works best if it is chosen rather than forced upon the adult is because of what happens on another level - the adults take responsibility for their actions. The buck stops with you and when you know that, you behave differently.

When I chose home based learning for our family, I made a career choice. That choice was to be our family's primary teacher for as long as my services were required. The first thing I noticed when I made this decision was how differently I walked in our community. I can still recall the sensation. My eyes, although functional for thirty years, had been opened, so too had my ears and my social conscience. I was more aware of child friendly places, I noticed what people were saying about children and themselves and their community, I took note of their skills and talents. I was constantly assessing my community as a learning centre rather than just the place from which to gather food, socialise and be entertained.

Set lofty goals and feel the joy in being with your children; relate to them as worthy beings, not burdens.

Turning within myself, I considered what qualities I would like to see in our children, what I hope to see in them as adults. Basically, I want to see them joyous and appreciative of themselves and the world they live in. This means living consciously, honouring their true feelings and being centred in love. As parent and primary teacher, this means that in every conversation with the children, I share my wisdom about the ways of the world. It means truly being with them, talking about life, being involved with them as much as possible, walking with them, sharing in their discoveries; speaking intelligently about their observations and listening attentively to what they say.

It helps to start off with at least a vague idea of your goals. As you become accustomed to your role as parent/teacher, your goals become clearer and with every day that passes, the ways in which you can reach them become more apparent. Long term goals help keep one on the path in times of confusion and difficulty. You can't feel lost when you know your purpose.

Have faith in what you are doing
You've got to have faith in yourself. There are so many different ways to live on this planet. Be aware of your fears but don't let them undermine your faith. Comparing yourself to other families will undermine your faith in yourself. You can learn by observing other families but you don't have to be like them. Each family has its own personality.

Speak from your own experiences
In speaking with the children, whether they are five or fifteen, I don't have to know all of the facts beforehand. I don't presume to know all the answers. When they were younger it was easy to answer their questions because they were never seeking detailed responses. I only ever gave them as much information as they were asking for. As they've grown older, they are seeking more detailed responses than I can sometimes give. At those times, I stay within my own experiences, sharing what I know and then modelling how we could find out more information. In my role as facilitator, I am modelling how to use their world to get what they want or need. I don't judge myself as stupid or inadequate if I don't know the answers to their questions. I know a lot about some things and very little about other things but what I do know for certain is how to source information. With that particular attitude and skill, I can know anything.

Accept that you are the learner as well as the teacher
When you choose home based learning, it helps to accept that you are a learner as well as a teacher. The potential to learn so much about ourselves through consciously raising our children is enormous. You will also pick up interesting facts along the way. As adults, parents have the advantage of experience of the world but it doesn't necessarily mean that we understand our personal doubts, fears and insecurities. We don't always know what life's about so when we place ourselves in the position of primary teacher of our children, then we are opening ourselves to opportunities for self knowledge. Knowledge is power.

Focus on relationships, the learning of facts will follow
Up to this point it would seem that most of the learning focus and ingredients required are on a personal emotional level. That is correct and there is sound reason for this. Home based learning allows for the development of relationships. Conscious parenting/teaching requires a blend of the use of the head and the heart. When we are happy within ourselves, we can do anything and learning comes easily. As the children mature, the learning material moves from being natural and tangible to more abstract studies.

Observe and be flexible
It helps if the parent is flexible and willing to use their observations of their children to guide them in the best way to facilitate the learning. The observations come from spending time with our children and truly enjoying their company from an early age. The time spent will encourage open communication about what interests them. Listening to the children creates a feeling of value and self worth. They in turn become good listeners, mirroring the ways in which they have been treated. As they mature they will naturally take on more responsibility for planning their learning.

Allow space for yourself
Give your child and yourself the gift of time - to daydream, to plan, to acknowledge the many parts of yourself. You are more than just a parent/teacher. It is crucial to value and allow for those other parts of yourself to shine. Plan to have some time out regularly. It makes you feel fresh. The quickest way to burn-out or to be overwhelmed by your responsibilities is to be out of balance for too long. Your children need time alone to be able to daydream and so do you. Home based learning does allow for this because you really do have all the time you need to achieve your goals.

You can do it if that's what you choose to do. Get started with what you are familiar with and modify your program as you go. You and your family members will set the pace. Relax, have faith in yourself. It's a lifestyle choice.

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