Tell me about HE

Hey all,

I'm beginning to look into Home Education, but DH is very much against it. I think I could do it, and I think it would suit the boys - particularly Ethan - much better than school does.

DH's main concerns relate mostly to their exams and the resulting qualifications, which I do agree with to a certain extent as you can't get a job doing anything without a few GCSE's these days. His second concern relates to the social aspect of it.

I am going to have a look at the National Curriculum guidelines throughout the Key Stages and see what it looks like.

Can they do exams still? How do you structure your day? How do you avoid the trap of letting them have fice minutes in front of the TV when they're being challenging, when really they should be learning? How do you stop yourself from getting caught up on things that need to be done in the house - cooking, cleaning, etc... - when you should be concentrating on the children?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but thought this would get me started.

Sarah
x

Children are learning constantly. We don't have a tv, so don't have that problem, but they do watch things - approved by dh and I
We generally do maths and English formally, usually in the morning before the boys can go off to play/read/whatever. The other day though, we had a day off and Tallin got the laptop out to do spelling games, so it's not all 'making' them do anything! 'Toys' here include electronic kits, chemistry kits (with adult supervision), microscope......and there are gazillions of websites with suggestions for all sorts of fun that includes learning, not to mention sites that are learning based fun. HE is generally an extension of the early years you have at home with your children - bet they've learnt a bit with you since they were born

As for qualifications, you don't need them at all, in fact universities seem quite happy to take HE'd children - they are there because they want to be, not because they feel they have to be and generally are more disciplined and keen to learn than those who have been through the school system - so I've heard (few years to go yet!). And yes, GCSEs can still be done, in a few different ways.

Don't forget, just because you choose to HE doesn't mean a child will never go to school, you can change your mind at any time. My 10yr old is starting to show an interest in high school for next year, so we'll look into it for him. That's not to say he'll enjoy it and we can always take him out again if we want.

Thanks Shadow.

I just think that school is all about conformity (I sound like a hippy there! ) and there is just something about the whole deal that I don't like. Maybe it's because I didn't have a good experience, I don't know. I do know that Ethan is gradually changing since starting nursery, and it's not for the better.

Yep, spot on.

I forgot to say, about socialisation. That was one of my main worries before we started, but we get out loads. You'll find HE groups to meet up with, we have a dedicated gymnastics group, a regular meeting with other HE families and my 3 still go to clubs and whatnot that they did when they were at school, getting out and about generally. Socialising when you're HE is far more natural than at school. School is the only time in your life that you are forced to spend a full day with 30 other people your own age after all.

School is the only time in your life that you are forced to spend a full day with 30 other people your own age after all.

I hadn't thought of it like that!

Meant to ask - and sorry if this is linked somewhere and I've missed it - is there anywhere where you can find resources in your area? Like a forum where you can contact other HE families, etc...?

Thanks,
Sarah

Google will help. We have a local (county-wide) yahoo group.

i keep thinking about HE for my eldest. He has had so many issues at school in the last few years i hate sending him now. His teacher i believe finds him an annoyance as he talks a lot and is a bit of a handful (possible adhd and aspergers). I just don't want him to loose the love of learning. He is very clever too which scares me more. I just don't know how I'd teach him. I don't have enough confidence in my own abilities to know he's getting an all round education that can support him in later life.

That's just it though, you take their lead, you don't have to 'teach' them much at all. They guide you with their interests and you help them by providing access to methods of research. You don't have to stick to the curriculum at all. I have no clue really about the history curriculum for example, but I bet Ocean (who is 6) has covered most of it and in more detail than most high school kids. He loves history, we provide him with the means to find out what he wants to know. That's it. And then on to his next interest.