Overland with Kids

The more we research and learn, the less freaked out we are becoming about the children’s education while on the road. We have a little way to go yet as we are first timers and have never done - largely because this approach is all brand spanking new to us. But already, being out of work for the grand total of just one day, the clouds are clearing as we can see that the normal daily pressures begin to go with this. Yes, we are busy now and frantically rushing around with pre-trip preparations but we can already see the real quality time that will begin to kick in.  We have a heap of materials and ideas and there is a plethora of information out there. No clear idea as yet of when or how we’ll implement or introduce such on the road.  A bit of thought and de-structure ourselves is in order initially and the plans will emerge more fully. We are certainly feeling more confident and happy about the prospect and idea of it all - excited even - can’t wait! Overall, we’re a bit more easy and relaxed.  We’ll provide details of what materials we’re bringing shortly and will provide updates also while on the road. Meantime, two particular internet research entries we found (sorry we lost the author’s name of the first one) are as follows:

“Home education is not for everyone - not even a large minority. It is a luxury in most cases. The parent who becomes a home teacher earns no money. There have to be savings, or partners, husbands or wives must be willing to pay the bills. But lots of well-educated wives do not work and could save money by home educating. For those who can find a way, home-educating is a glorious, liberating, empowering, profoundly fulfilling thing to do. Far more people should try it. At present it is estimated that about 50,000 children are taught this way. The number has jumped from a decade ago but is still very few compared with America.

I have just finished two years of teaching my younger daughter, Alex, now 11. We have become very close. Many fathers see their children at supper time and a bit more at weekends. Alex and I were with each other all day, every weekday, in all sorts of places and circumstances. We knew and shared thoughts, ideas and feelings. I believe the closeness that we developed will benefit our relationship for the rest of our lives.

We had enjoyable educational trips to France, Italy and China. Instead of learning about the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius from a text book, Alex and I climbed up to the rim and peered into the still-smoking crater. We visited Pompeii and Oplontis to see the parts of Roman civilisation that had been preserved by the most famous of its eruptions.

One of the beauties of home education is that you can teach children things that you want them to know - some of which are not taught in most schools. I wanted Alex to know something of the origin of the Universe, and astronomy. We studied far more history than schools do, including overviews of Rome, China and Britain. We looked at the Second World War, using DVDs of the superb Channel 4 series on it. We started learning Italian. But all parents would have different ideas of what they want their children to know. You can go for whatever you think important. This is freedom, thrilling freedom. You don’t have to teach just what some civil servant in Whitehall has lighted upon and stuck in the national curriculum.  

It is strange that children all over the country study the same bits of history - all knowing certain periods and hardly studying outside them. It verges on the totalitarian. With home education, there can be enormous diversity. At the same time, there is nothing to stop one’s child taking the same GCSEs and Alevels that others are taking.

But some of the greatest gains from home education are not easily measured or tested. They come from the daily flow of conversation - the times when your child asks you a question and a conversation follows.

You may make an observation, or your child may see something and become interested in it. If that happens, you can encourage the interest. This is developing the ability to think and discuss. It is a big contrast with what happens at school where it is impossible in a class of 25 to chase the individual interests of everyone present or to enter separate conversations. It may even be the case that schools can damage a child’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. I have seen children totally turned off education and making no attempt to hide how bored they are.

The widespread concern is that a home-educated child misses out on “socialisation”. But I have never heard anyone offer any evidence for this. As far as I know, the evidence from America is rather the other way - home-educated children are better socialised. We know that young children left in inferior nurseries and not given much attention can get withdrawn or aggressive. It is possible, to put it no higher, that being left at school and not given much attention can, in some cases, have a similar, if milder, damaging effect on older children.

You don’t have to educate a child for all his or her years of learning. It could be for just one or two. Several teachers have told me that they would love to take their children on a round-the-world journey, perhaps when their offspring are aged somewhere between 11 and 14. I would recommend it.

Home education, however you structure it, can bring you and your child closer together. You can both learn. You will have shared experiences that will enrich your relationship for ever. Yes, there will also be arguments and tears. But children and parents who never experience it are missing out badly.”

And another differing viewpoint:

” The do’s and don’ts of teaching children at home

Education experts have some tips for parents who decide to turn teacher, writes Sian Griffiths.

Firstly, says education professor Alan Smithers, do make sure your children follow the national curriculum. Cooperate with other parents to enable them to work and make friends with others of a similar age. Enter them for the same tests they would have taken if they had been at school and take advantage of the flexibility of home-schooling to go on trips.

Don’t let children learn only when they feel like it or avoid subjects they don’t enjoy. Try to see them through a teacher’s eyes, not mum or dad’s rose-tinted spectacles. And don’t, whatever you do, says Smithers, try to teach them at home after the age of 11.”

Diary (Blog)