There are many misconceptions about Homeschooling or learning at home. It is not, as some may presume, a matter of recreating school at home. For many homeschool families such as ours, learning at home takes on a variety of forms that simply fan the flames of curiosity that are already there. Children want to learn, they are naturals! For much of childhood, the essentials of learning happen through play if kids are given the time and freedom to do so.
Homeschooling is not always based in religious education but several families do enjoy a faith practice of some kind in their day. For us, we use books and nature as our guide and build our learning around that for the most part. We have an extensive library and we read constantly. We also spend a ton of time outdoors, studying the natural world and playing. Yes, for the most part, we play (gasp). We start everyday with yoga, and a moment of mindfulness. Rain or shine, we head outdoors and observe and learn from nature. We work on household chores together and bake and cook together. My kindergartener understands fractions already because she has been baking for years. Much of our learning happens on our feet and in the context of real life.
We have come across an expression in the homeschool community that spoke to us and our way of guiding our children’s education: “The child is the curriculum”. The beauty of teaching your own children is that you can guide their journey in a way that is unique to them. It is based in love and the comfort and rhythms of home life. Children feel free to be themselves, learn at their own pace and discover things in a way that suits them. Don’t get me wrong there are still times that they have to learn to sit and focus; to struggle through something that isn’t comfortable and to be challenged. However, during this brief season of childhood, particularly this year with the uncertainty and stress of a global pandemic, growing political tensions, a strained economy and impending environmental decline, I can’t think of a more grounded and comforting way to learn.
The privilege of being able to stay home and guide my children’s learning is not taken lightly. I work part time and our choice to live modestly allows us to keep our children at home for now. I know that it will not be forever. I know that there are amply qualified educators that will thoroughly enjoy my kids when they return to regular school. They are bright, curious and confident and it makes my job pretty easy for the most part. For now, we are enjoying every minute of being together. It’s a school year like no other and we are making the most of it.
By Erica Rosenbaum
Mom of 4 – Check out MWCN’s website at www.mwcn.ca to know more about our organization that supports the English-speaking Community
