Episode 57: Steph & Nic's Homeschooling Series - Part Three
In Part 3 of our Homeschooling Series, we bust open one of the biggest myths surrounding homeschooling: how will my child be socialised?
We both share our personal experiences on this, as well as share the evidence and research surrounding how children socialise, and how Western culture has created an artificial 'socialisation' that was not evident in hunter-gatherer societies.
We are discuss:
- how schools and preschools can be detrimental to a child's social development
- the freedom and choice that comes from homeschooling
- the harm of segregated education for children - as seen in the schooling system
- how mixed-aged education promotes better social development, higher literacy and numeracy skills, and more compassionate and kind children
- plus so much more
Resources Mentioned:
Article - The Special Value of Age-Mixed Play I: How Age Mixing Promotes Learning by Dr Peter Gray
Article - Age-Mixed Play II: Its Benefits for Social Development by Dr Peter Gray
Article - Age-Mixed Play III: Play is More Playful When it is Age-Mixed by Dr Peter Gray
ABOUT STEPH:
Steph is a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor, Early Childhood Educator, Play Therapist 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 55: How the Education System has Failed Educators & Children
This episode is dedicated to all the educators and teachers around the world who are burnout and drowning in a system that is unsupportive and harmful to both them, and the children in their schools and daycares.
As an Educator myself, I have had enough of the lack of accountability and responsibility the education system/department of education has assumed in its failings for teachers and children, so I'm call them out. I'm bringing to light all the things that aren't seen by society. All the paperwork, documenting, high turnover rates and low emotional health that teachers are subjected to day in, and day out.
I share numerous scientific research studies that reveal eye-opening and heartbreaking experiences that many educators deal with.
This topic is so big, yet I have managed to condense it down to a regular length episode.
I also share some extremely exciting news, so you'll need to listen to find out what's coming up soon for myself and Spirited Hearts.
Resources Mentioned:
Dr Peter Gray on the Spirited Hearts Podcast
Free to Learn by Dr Peter Gray
Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto
NASA Study from the 1960s
Raising Wildlings episode with Woodline Primary Principal
http://www.iier.org.au/iier33/ng.pdf
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11218-022-09686-7
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10643-021-01203-3
Episode 28: Learning Diversity, Deschooling & Parental Burnout with Kimberley George
In this week's episode, I have the pleasure of welcoming back Kimberley George, founder of The Creativity Room, Women's Circle Facilitator and Speaker, and Mum of 3.
Kim shares her journey of homeschooling, deschooling, schooling and parental burnout.
We also discuss:
- how learning is so diverse, and learning happens more meaningfully when the child is interested
- parental shame when it comes to homeschooling or sending your child back to school
- deschooling ourselves and our child
- children going into the education system with greater awareness
- intergenerational cycles and a lack of meeting our own needs
- listening to everyone's needs and willingness
- plus so so much more
Where to Find Kim:
Instagram: @kimberley_charlotte__
Instagram: @the_creativity_room__
Facebook: Kimberley George - The Creativity Room
Resources Mentioned:
Kim's previous episode on Spirited Hearts
Turning Down the Noise by Christine Jackman
Steph's book review on Turning Down the Noise (see Februrary)
ABOUT KIMBERLEY:
Kimberley was born in VIC, Australia and spent most of her childhood in America where she attended classes and groups relating to visual arts, choir and piano but her creativity spread into many areas of her childhood, and she spent many days working with ideas and creating what she envisioned. She now lives in QLD, Australia with her 3 children and husband. Kimberley George is an Artist, Writer, Creativity Coach and Holistic Mentor with a Bachelor of Creative Arts. Kimberley’s qualifications go beyond the confines of her degree as she continues to explore what it means to embody a creative life for herself and in facilitating this for others. Kimberley lives a creative life engaging in song writing, visual arts, journaling, writing, cooking, and in play. Her life is her research, and her creativity isn’t limited. Kimberley’s work and research are based on nurturing the individual to gain confidence in accessing and embodying their unique creativity. She creates space and freedom with the tools she has for the activation of creativity and seeing that come alive in practice individuals as they accept the journey that asks for imagination, innovation, and experimentation to create what is deeply reflective of them. Her mission here is to see others burst open the creative spring inside them so they can move in it every day. Her belief is that we all have access to creativity, and we all are worthy of it.
Episode 21: Valuing Each Child's Learning Journey with Sally Haughey
I had the absolute pleasure of having this beautiful, meaningful conversation with Sally Haughey. Sally is the founder of Fairy Dust Teaching also known as Wunderled, she is the creator and founder of the annual Play Summit, an author, speaker and Educator.
We discuss so much in this episode, and it is jam-packed with passion, wisdom and knowledge:
- Sally shares her own journey as a child in the education system and then a teacher
- How the education system is failing us and our children
- The #1 goal of the system is compliance, and not attending to each child’s unique needs
- The history of the education system, and how it is outdated
- How beneficial changes come from families
- A child’s identity in the school system
- Executive function development through play-based learning
- Conflict resolution and negotiation in early childhood
- Support children’s natural desire to problem-solve
- Plus so much more
Where to Find Sally
Website: Fairy Dust Teaching
Facebook: Fairy Dust Teaching
Instagram: @wunderledteaching
Twitter: @WunderledEd
Resources Mentioned
* Jane Austen novels
* Alfie Kohn books
ABOUT SALLY
Sally Haughey is the CEO and Founder of Fairy Dust Teaching, also known as Wunderled. Fairy Dust Teaching is built on the passion for the wonder and magic of early childhood, the idea that young children have the right to play, to be collaborators in learning, and to dream.
Sally has spent over three decades in the classroom in various school settings. During time in the classroom, she was influenced by many different people and approaches, the two biggest being Waldorf education and the Reggio Emilia Approach.
Her journey took an unexpected turn when she started a blog in 2010. She was in the middle of one of her toughest years yet, and sharing her story opened a whole new world of possibilities: empowering and inspiring educators, and so Fairy Dust Teaching was born.
That blog transformed into our current community of over 220,000 educators from 114 countries. Her focus is to provide a deeper level of service and training that help educators own their true teaching self.
Since founding Fairy Dust Teaching, she has authored 3 books, one being The Wonder Art Workshop and has spoken and interviewed with thought leaders from all over the world.
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, so these inspiring conversations can reach more people.
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.