We have been educating our children at home now for

Coming up 18 months

It has been something of a stop start journey so far

We did not live in our own home for 6 months

And we returned home pregnant with Edie Mae

And then of course she arrived

And we have all

Once again

Been getting used to a new normal

When we made the decision to take our children out of school

I imagined teaching them at home

Much as they would have been taught at school

And for a while we did try that

I soon realised though that Esther and William learn very differently

They have different strengths

Different interests

They work at different paces

And learn in very different ways

Though they are twins

And the best of friends

They are … different

And so our education needed, needs, to reflect that

For a good six months

We took time out to unschool

During this time

We went out everyday

We explored forests and fields

We roamed beaches and country parks

We sang and danced and played music

We did art and drama and crafts

We went to the theatre

Visited museums

Took tours

We met new people and made new friends

We got to know how others learn

Outside of the school system

We spent a lot of time finding the things

That Esther and William most enjoy

The things they most want to take forward

And now we have settled into a gentler rhythm

Spending more time in our own home and garden

Still seeing friends old and new

Working in a more structured way than many home educators do

Most days

Here is a quick look at our routine

Our Home Educating Week

On Monday

We host a French Club in our home in the morning

After lunch we have a Latin Club here

In the afternoon Esther and Bea have ballet

On Tuesday

Bea goes to preschool

Esther. William and I have a project day

Which might be at home

With a Home Ed group

Or visiting a local attraction

On Wednesday

We have a day off from any planned learning

My aunt and uncle visit to play with the children

And I try to use the time to do admin bits

Or to see my best friend

In the evening Esther and William go to Beavers

Where they have this term been made Lodge Leaders

On Thursday

Bea has preschool and toddler group with Granny

Esther, William and I try to get out and about on this day

Taking our ‘work’ with us

In the late afternoon Esther has ballet again

And both children do Acro

On Friday

Bea has preschool in the morning

Esther and William do intense maths and English work

Sometimes at the library so that they have time to browse the books too

In the afternoon William goes to gymnastics

On Saturday

Esther and William go to music school

Between sessions we do more workbook work

Often revising what we have been focusing on through the week

At music school William does a music foundation class

Esther does this too but is also learning piano

And sings with me in the community choir

On Sunday

We have a family day

And until recently have gone swimming in the morning

Which after our holiday

We will start to do again

Our weeks are busy

Some days we do loads of planned learning

Other days William will get lost in his train play

Or it will be sunny

And they will set up a camp in the garden

Only coming in for more supplies

I love that home education gives us the freedom

To break from any set routine

Some days I plan lots of lovely activities

And we achieve very few

Some days we have no plans at all

And end up doing SO much

Some days we paint and craft all day

Others we snuggle on the sofa and watch TV

What I see in my children

Is that they are making progress

Good progress

William is years ahead of where he needs to be

And so is Bea

Esther is below where she would be expected to be in school right now

But she is getting better

And benefits from doing things over and over again

Something that could not be facilitated at school

With as much adult input as she needs

I think this coming year we might see leaps in Esther’s learning

I am not worried yet about how she is or how she will be

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
Henry David Thoreau

This year I want to build my confidence in telling people that we home educate

I want to speak with passion and conviction about the path that we have chosen

I want to show my children the benefits of not being at school

I want to make the most of all the opportunities that come our way

I want to really enjoy this special family time

I am not anti school in anyway

I am a primary school teacher

But at this moment

I think the best possible education for my children

Is one facilitated by me

That follows their lead and needs

Moving in their rhythm

And our time

What is most important and valuable about the home as a base for children’s growth into the world is not that it is a better school than the schools, but that it isn’t a school at all.
John Holt