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ELECTIVE HOME EDUCATION

by Cathy Koetsier, HEAS Media Officer

HOME education is an increasingly popular option for families who want a more cohesive and integrated lifestyle. In our busy modern world, family time for most people is snatched — briefly — out of the myriad responsibilities and requirements placed on them by separate lives and agendas. Home education gives time back to the family. Time to share life, to get to know and understand each other, to work through problems and challenges without pressure, and time to really love each other.

Parents can be supportive and truly helpful to their children, because they know what the priorities are at any given time. And this type of family-centered learning is also great fun. It is not just about the education of the children, but about growing through life together.

Although some home educators do follow the national curriculum, it is not compulsory to do so. Tuition can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the child. Children have opportunity to develop skills and interests at their own pace, in their own way, and in accordance with their own needs. This personalized approach offers great freedom and flexibility to the child, and is especially helpful for children who learn differently to their peers. Much of the learning takes place through discussion and exploration. It often involves a multi-sensory approach. It also includes others in the learning experience. Natural curiosity and a love of learning is encouraged and protected. Personal discovery and those ‘Aha!’ moments become a powerful motivational force.

Family members get to know each other — strengths and weaknesses. There are lots of opportunities to communicate interests, values, beliefs, problems and problem solving approaches. There is time to talk. Concepts and ideas can be debated and argued over. Standards can be set and ideals tested in practical contexts. All this allows for a true transmission of family values, morals and culture, and family members are empowered to mentor each other in ways that satisfy and that provide security and leadership.

In the context of the home, lifeskills are developed. This happens in a very natural way as a result of interfacing with real life situations, for example, doing chores. The children enjoy the knowledge that they are already a valuable and contributing part of the group — they are not waiting to grow up to become so.

Home-educated children tend to have a strong sense of identity and personhood. They have been encouraged to think about what they want out of life and have done so from an early age. Parents are able to facilitate exploration of these important aspects of personhood.

The core of home education is parents taking full responsibility for the education of their children in a secure, relaxed, and nurturing learning environment.

The Home Education Advisory Service was  established in 1995. It arose in response to an increasing number of parents who were worried about their children’s school experience, and who did not know what to do about it. We offer practical advice and information to parents who home educate, or who are considering home education.

For details they should phone 01707 371854, visit our website at www.heas.org.uk, or write to the Home Education Advisory Service, P O Box 98, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, LA8 6AN