Our Decision to Home Educate
Many people have asked me about our decision to home-school and as promised, I am sharing it here.
I have 4 children. Two go to school and one is a toddler. The fourth one once went to school, but when we found out she was dyslexic we realised that school is not the ideal learning environment for her. We made the decision, after discussing it with her, to learn at home. It is truly wonderful. I have seen my child grow in confidence and understanding. She has blossomed.
In the beginning we tried a routine akin to the school day. I am a true believer in following the child's interests, but I also believe that I can offer guidance and scaffolding to her learning. Needless to say, the strict rigid routine of school did not suit my creative daughter's mind. Now we have a vague routine somewhere in our minds, but we tend to be more flexible. We do cover the topics covered in school, but we appropriate time according to her interests.
She loves learning and she knows her mind.
Sometimes we wonder whether school is the way forward. An example of that is this past week. We considered a Steiner school and visited it with an open mind. However, we came away with the certainty that nothing compares to the amazing environment we have created at home. Here there are no time limits and no restrictions. We learn together and we explore the environment and the arts and literature and everything that takes our interest. She learns skills and theories and practicalities.
She will be equipped with an amazing knowledge and a variety of skills at the end. Quite literally a world of opportunities will be within her grasp. We are definitely lucky to have this opportunity.