Well, so far we're doing pretty well during lockdown. Everyone is missing aspects of normal life, but there are some entertaining new activities. The groups the children had joined are now online, so they're still connected with the people and things that matter to them. There are also whole-family Zoom calls, and a lovely Whatsapp group … Continue reading What did we do today?
Time to be, not time to do
As we all hunker down in our homes, almost certainly with some fear and anxiety about our personal situations and the world around us, parenting has become a very different proposition from just a few weeks ago. For millions of people, alongside the health and financial worries is the sudden reality of being together all … Continue reading Time to be, not time to do
Is anybody listening?
Over the last year, I've had the beautiful experience of being part of a listening circle. As myself and my fellow circle members became more adept in the art of active listening, the experience of both talking into the circle and listening to the speaker took on a power that I've rarely experienced in daily … Continue reading Is anybody listening?
A new vision
A friend shared this blog post with me the other day. I always enjoy reading Peter Gray, and here he puts into eloquent words something I've been thinking for a long time about school/no school. I wrestle with the knowledge that although we've made this work for our family, it can be difficult for families to opt out … Continue reading A new vision
Learning to read #3
It's been just a couple of months since my first post about C learning to read by herself. Just like with our sons, I am in awe of her capacity to learn. In a couple of months she has gone from feeling like this would be really hard to being quite a fluent reader. She … Continue reading Learning to read #3
Real world learning
Nothing beats real life as learning territory. Not only is it filled with infinite possibilities, but it is inherently meaningful; we engage willingly with the things that matter to us in life. Most adults can identify with this. If I think back to the last few months and the odd assortment of knowledge and skills … Continue reading Real world learning
Learning is quiet and inevitable
As I wander ever deeper into life without school, certain ideas are becoming more and more alien to me, to the point that I can no longer grasp the questions, never mind come up with a reasonable answer. "How do you know that they are learning?" people sometimes ask. In the beginning, I would give … Continue reading Learning is quiet and inevitable
