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Original poster

Educating at home

138 replies

Jbr · 13/09/2002 00:42

www.guardian.co.uk/parents/story/0,3605,789867,00.html

You've got to read this article, if only to see the names of these children. I wouldn't be sending them to school either with names like that.

OP posts:
hmb · 19/09/2002 11:44

Regarding the 'you have to be taught how to learn' bit of the thread. I have been just looking at this as part of my PGCE. One of the topics has been about a particular scheme, called CASE (Cognitive Acceleration in Science Education). In this study pupils were given a series of structured topics that specifically helped them to learn how to think. In order to carry out high order learning the children have to develop high order thinking skills.

The theory has been put forward that these higher order skills occur at specific times in a child's development, and some think that they never develop in some pupils. The CASE approach aims to accelerate the development of these skills. The results of the study were interesting. Not only did the children given CASE improve their science results, but this carried over to other subjects such as English, and the benefits were seen to persist for some time after the study had ended. So while it is true that children do 'know how to learn', it would see that education should be, at least in part, about accelerating this innate ability.

As regards home schooling, this can obviously be very beneficial to some families. However, I would never try it for myself. I would feel unable to cover the whole range of subjects that are now part of the National Curriculum. In addition, the child would lack form the learning opportunities that come from working with the other children in the class (social constructivism.................but that is an even duller posting )

Batters · 19/09/2002 12:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CAM · 19/09/2002 14:17

anais
I know it sounds strange, but take language for example. Children have an innate ability to imitate the sounds they hear and thus are able to learn to speak but as regards learning to read I believe that children have to be taught "how". Certainly in higher education, eg at university level, people are taught how to think.

Arcadio · 19/09/2002 14:31

Hi all
I'd like to know more about what's involved in educating children at home in the UK. What sort of formalities do you have to go through with your local LEAs etc? It is something I might have to consider short term for my three and a half yr old if he does not get into the school we want next year. The alternative would be the worst state primary in this LEA - not an option - or private school. Any tips or advice would be most welcome!

hmb · 19/09/2002 15:25

www.home-education.org.uk/

This site might be a good starting point.

HTH

anais · 19/09/2002 20:38

Arcadio, if your child hasn't been registered in school you have no obligateion to the LEA whatsoever.

www.free-range-education.co.uk
www.geocities.com/sueincyprus/
www.home-ed.co.uk/
www.education-otherwise.org/
www.muddlepuddle.co.uk

These sites will cover any questions you may have. There are also some email lists which are great for providing advice and information. I would particularly recommend the Muddle Puddle one which is really informal and friendly. They will answer and questions and advise on any aspect.

HTH

anais · 19/09/2002 20:47

CAM, why do you think children need to be taught how to read? My son is only 4, we read together a lot, but he has never been under any pressure to do anything. Already there are many words he recognises, and frequently will point at things and say "Mummy, why does that say....". He is interested in words and this is just following his interest. I am confident that given the time and space he needs, he will learn to read in this way. The only reason that children need to be able to read so young in school is that in a school environment, it limits the activities which a teacher can do.

I also know of many other children who have learnt to read in this way. It's just about trusting them and giving them the time.

Clarinet60 · 19/09/2002 20:53

Hmb, that was really interesting. A friend teaches PGCE students and says (with research backing that I don't have refs for) that many people are able to learn better when they are adults. The theory behind this was fascinating but unfortunately, has left my Brian. (helpful, aren't I?). It was certainly true in my case. When I went back to uni as an adult I was able to knock spots off myself at 16-18.

threeangels · 19/09/2002 21:00

My dd learned how to read totally on her own when she was 6 yrs. At home I read to her each night and we also took turns reading every other page. At first she was a little behind from the rest of her class but with her teachers help and the help at home she picked up quite fast. She is now in 4th gr and her teacher was just telling me today she is one of the better readers in her class. I feel so much releif since it didnt start off as her favorite subject. I feel kids can learn to read on their own by what they see and hear and are exposed to but with a lot of help you can get them reading a lot faster. Not that you need to rush them but it does help when your in school.

ScummyMummy · 19/09/2002 21:02

anais- what you describe IS teaching your son to read, IMO. He is not learning by osmosis. I agree with your positive approach. You are exposing him to the written word and following his interest- a very successful way to teach. I'm sure CAM has an equally valid approach- in fact I wouldn't be surprised if it was quite similar to your own, though I will leave her to speak for herself on that one.

anais · 19/09/2002 23:07

Droile, one of the reasons you learn better as an adult is that you can learn about what interests you, and obviously if you're interested, you are far more motivated.

ScummyMummy, there is no teaching going on at all, just reading. He is learning, but this is just a natural progression.

ScummyMummy · 19/09/2002 23:51

anais- all I was saying is that I think that providing your boy with stuff to read, reading to him, explaining the stuff he wants explained etc IS teaching and teaching of the very best kind, IMO. I agree that pushing has no place in helping children learn, especially reading. He's learning because you are being a great teacher (even if you don't like the word!).

hmb · 20/09/2002 07:13

I agree 100%. A child learns from a wide range of people. Formal 'Teachers', parents, grandparents, other children, and even, dare I say it, the TV How many children now have 'eh oh' as one of their first words?! Children learn best when they are gently drawn on in their natural desire to learn. Reading to your child does just that.

Re mature students. I have worked in several university departmants and the mature students were almost always the best in the class. They tended to be better motivated, better organised and had a wealth of 'life experience' to draw on. They also had less interest in getting plastered most nights

And I speak as someone who went to university at 18.

CAM · 20/09/2002 11:08

anais, that is exactly how you (and trained teachers) teach children to read! Thankyou Scummymummy you took the words right out of my mouth/keyboard.

anais · 29/09/2002 12:31

Sorry, I've just remembered this thread and thought I'd check back to see how it was going.

CAM, my point, (which I don't seem to be making very well)is that when you home-ed, you are, not pushed to meet deadlines. The child can learn in his own time. If he isn't interested in learning until he's 7, he doesn't have to learn until then. The point is you are a learning facilitator, rather than a teacher. You are allowing the environment and situation for it to happen, that's all.

ionesmum · 29/09/2002 15:19

anais, the more I read about the system of education in this country the more I want dd to opt out of it. Leaving aside the 'A' level fiasco, which may be sorted by the time dd takes hers (in 17 yrs time) - but I doubt it - I don't want my dd having homework at 4 and worrying about exams in primary school. I gather that you home-ed - how did you start? What does your partner think? I'm not sure that I have enough knowledge to home-ed esp. about things like maths and computers. The alternative would be to send dd to a Quaker school but i don't know if we could afford the fees.

anais · 29/09/2002 20:52

Ionesmum, I started looking into the whole subject of school when my ds was 2 1/2. He is v bright and as most of the schools locally are awful, I wanted enough information to make an informed choice and have the best chance of getting him into the school of my choice. It was at the beginning of the year that I picked up a book on HE, more out of interest than through a real desire to do it myself. By the time I'd finished reading the book I knew that was what I wanted to do and strated looking into it in more depth.

I haven't officially started HEing - ds is due to start school next September, although on the other hand I've been HEing my kids since the day they were born. I recently got the letter from the LEA though, applying for a place at school, so I feel like things are really starting to happen now!

I don't have a partner, so the decision was entirely mine - and the responsibility!

I really think it's the way forward for us anyway. If I can help in any way let me know, if you want to get my email off the moderators I would be perfectly happy to provide you with as much help and information as I can

robinw · 29/09/2002 21:59

message withdrawn

Khara · 30/09/2002 10:27

My (just) 4 year old has been getting homework. In addition to his reading book and key words, this weekend he brought home 2 worksheets (one maths, one handwriting.) He only started going to school full-time last week!

anais · 30/09/2002 10:34

It seems wrong, doesn't it? Surely 6 hours of schooling a day is enough ? If I was going for the school option I would much rather do what they do in some European countries and have them start at around 6/7 instead of 4/5

CAM · 30/09/2002 10:46

I find my 5 year old enjoys homework, she only gets reading and spelling at the moment, but I have workbooks bought from bookshops that she really finds fun.

Fionamc · 30/09/2002 10:53

I think it seems to differ from school to school how much homework children get, some get none at 5yrs, some seem to get a ridiculous amount. As CAM says, children can enjoy doing the work - my dd loves doing spelling and number workbooks, but I don't think she'd enjoy it nearly as much if it was a 'task' that had to be completed and handed back by a certain time. I think the flexibility in the time children can take to do work is a big benefit of HE.

ionesmum · 30/09/2002 15:21

Thank you anais. I will be in touch.

I think a lot will depend on dd's character, at 7 mo it's a bit soon to tell! I want to keep my options open which is why I think it's a good idea to get lots of info early.

anais · 30/09/2002 21:41

no problem Ionesmum I think you can never have too much information, and even if you choose a different route at least it's an informed decision.

ionesmum · 30/09/2002 22:03

Anais, I've asked mumsnet to pass on my e-mail address to you as this is the way they like to do it. My address has dh's name on it, it's his old address and it's a home computer so no-one but me will read it!