Episode 53: Steph & Nic's Homeschooling Series - Part Two
After receiving so much positive feedback about Part One of the Homeschooling Series, we are excited to share with you Part Two. We both enjoyed this conversation so much. Nic had many of her questions answered, and Steph loved reflecting on her own journey as a homeschooling parents.
In this episode we discuss:
The different types of homeschooling - including Distance Education, Structured Homeschooling, Unschooling & Natural Learning, and Eclectic Homeschooling
Deschooling - what it is, how to do it, and how it can help you heal your own school traumas and hurts
How neither of us remember anything about what we were taught at school
Creating meaningful learning experiences for our child/ren
Plus so much more
ABOUT STEPH:
Steph is a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor, Early Childhood Educator and Parenting Support Counsellor. She has worked with parents and children for over a decade. With degrees and qualifications in psychology, counselling and early childhood education, Steph is extremely passionate about child development, trauma, attachment and neuroscience. She works with parents and educators from around the world, supporting them through 1:1 mentoring sessions and online courses. As well as co-operating a Family Day Care alongside her husband.
ABOUT NIC:
Nic is a Level 1 Aware Parenting Instructor and Marion Method Mentor. Nic is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with parents from around the world. She loves supporting children and parents navigate challenges at school.
KINSHIP CONNECTION with Steph & Nic:
Steph and Nic are incredibly excited to introduce you to something that we are so passionate about; Kinship Connection. This is a safe, supportive and accepting space for children aged 6-12 years old and their families. To find out more click here.
If you would like us to respond to any of your reflections, queries or questions during an episode in this homeschooling series, please feel free to contact Steph or Nic on Instagram @spirited_hearts or @peacefulparenting and Steph's website or Nic's website.
Episode 35: The Freedom to Learn & Play During Childhood with Peter Gray
In this week’s episode, I am beyond excited to sit down and have an inspiring conversation with psychologist, Peter Gray. He is the author of one of the most recommended books on this podcast, “Free to Learn.” He is a researcher and advocate for self-directed education, our natural need for play and trusting our children.
This episode is so jam-packed with the most incredible insights, wisdom, knowledge, experience and studies on child development and learning. Peter shares his own journey that led him down this path.
We also discuss:
* The harm of standardised testing, and who is actually benefiting from it (note it is definitely not children or teachers)
* How the current education system is destroying our creativity
* The detrimental effect of reducing playtime for children at school
* Why children are biological designed to play, and to learn through play
* The harm of early academic on children and why we need to ditch “school readiness” and preschool “programs”
* Plus so much more
Where to Find Peter:
Website: petergray.org
The Alliance of Self-Directed Education
Facebook: Peter Gray
Freedom to Learn blog on Psychology Today
Resources Mentioned:
Free to Learn by Peter Gray
Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy
ABOUT PETER:
Peter Gray is an American psychology researcher and scholar. He is a research professor of psychology at Boston College, and the author of an introductory psychology textbook. He is known for his work on the interaction between education and play, and for his evolutionary perspective on psychology theory. He’s most well known book “Free to Learn” has made a positive impact on self-directed education, and he has collections of essays available in four separate books. His recent research focuses on the roles of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine. His research findings have led him to become an advocate of Self-Directed Education. He is a founding member and president of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education.
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, so these inspiring conversations can reach more people.
Episode 24: Family-Centered Natural Learning with Joss Goulden
In this week’s episode I welcome back fellow Aware Parenting Instructor, Joss Goulden. We have a beautiful conversation about natural learning, something we are both passionate about.
Joss shares her journey into homeschooling her now 2 teenage children following a family-centered natural learning approach.
We also discuss:
- The history of the education system
- How children can have more freedom to be themselves at home
- School traumas and how that has impacted us as adults
- Different types of learning
- Natural learning when your child does go to school
- Intrinsic motivation
- Meeting the learning needs of each individual child
- Plus so much more.
Where to Find Joss:
Website: Aware Parenting with Joss
Instagram: @awareparentingwithjoss
Facebook: Aware Parenting with Joss
Podcasts: Aware Parenting Stories Podcast and Aware Parenting and Natural Learning Podcast
Resources Mentioned:
Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children by Lael Stone and Marion Rose Ph.D
How Children Learn by John Holt
ABOUT JOSS:
Joss is a parenting coach and mentor. She supports families to create more connection, awareness and joy in parenting. She is an Aware Parenting Instructor certified with the Aware Parenting Institute and has been practising Aware Parenting for 16 years. Joss is also a mother of 2 children, aged 18 and 16. Joss is passionate about sharing this beautiful approach with parents. “I love Aware Parenting because it creates strong, connected relationships in our families and gives parents the tools, based on scientific research, to support our children to be cooperative, connected to their authentic selves and loving. I believe that Aware Parenting is THE solution for so many of the challenges facing the world. I am also really passionate about Homeschooling and Natural Learning.”
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, so these inspiring conversations can reach more people.
Episode 18: Choosing Homeschooling or Schooling for Your Child
In this week’s episode I go solo for the first time since episode 1 and share my journey of homeschooling and sending my own child to school.
I discuss when and how I decided to homeschool my children, some traumatic incidences we have experienced when sending my eldest child to school and the approach we use for homeschooling.
I chat about how my eldest son has started back at school, after over 2 years of homeschooling, and how my youngest son is still homeschooled.
I also share how we chose my eldest child’s schools and what we were looking for in order for him to experience the best support to meet his needs.
As parents, we really do need a village, of our own choosing, to truly thrive and ensure everyone’s needs are met. No matter what we choose for each of our children, it is so important to remove the judgment we feel towards ourselves and others because it is a hard journey, and we are all doing the best we can in any given moment.
Where You Can Find Me:
Website: https://spiritedhearts.net/
Instagram: @spirited_hearts
ABOUT STEPH:
Steph is the founder of Spirited Hearts™ with Steph Fleeton; Spirited Hearts™ Natural Learning Haven, Mamas Sacred Circle® and this beautiful podcast.
She is a Holistic Childhood Mentor, Early Childhood Educator, Parent Support Counsellor, Aware Parenting Instructor and Circle Facilitator.
Steph is a Mum to 2 boys; the eldest is in school and the younger is homeschooled.
She has always had a passion for psychology and counselling. However, it wasn’t until she had my first son in 2013 that she realised her niche passion was in assisting parents and children to live their best lives. She delved deeply into Aware Parenting, Unconditional Parenting, Conscious Parenting and Playful Parenting and the philosophies and practices resonated deeply.
Steph first started her Family Day Care in Canberra at the beginning of 2015, alongside her husband. Now, based in QLD and an Independent Natural Learning Haven for children aged 1-8 years old. Providing community and a sense of belonging for homeschooled children over 5 years old, and a natural learning, play-based environment for younger children to learn about themselves and the world. With a strong focus on meeting each individual child’s needs in an emotional supportive and caring environment, with many adventures and investigations into life along the way.
Episode 8: Trusting Our Children in the Learning Process and in Life with Nicki Farrell
In this episode I sit down with Nicki Farrell from Wildlings Forest School. We have such a powerful and meaningful conversation about trusting our children; both in the learning process and in life. We discuss the need for our children to re-connect with nature, and how nature is the most powerful learning tool.
We talk about why we don't resonate with the terms "Teacher" or "Educator" and we touch on our reasons for homeschooling our own children.
Where to Find Nicki and Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
WILD BUSINESS https://www.wildlingsforestschool.com/your-wild-business
Website: www.wildlingsforestschool.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlings_forestschool/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQyHG5dHeCmvQdpzb_iNOWQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcH-D5Hm9K8
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/wildlingsforestschool/
Books:
Free to Learn by Peter Gray
Tomorrow When the War Began (Series) by John Marsden
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
ABOUT NICKI:
Nicki is a highly experienced teacher and Forest School mentor who is passionate about all things nature play, risky play, adventurous play and especially a child's right to play. With nearly 20 years of teaching, guiding and mentoring behind her, ranging from the state school system to outdoor recreation and of course, her own successful business, Wildlings Forest School, alongside her business partner Vicci Oliver, Nicki has the depth and breadth of knowledge to be able to help you create, grow and scale your own wildly successful nature play business.
You can find out more about the Wildlings Forest School philosophy here and about Nicki here.