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 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 31: The Next Evolution of Spirited Hearts™
n this solo episode I discuss all what happened at the end of last year for Spirited Hearts™: the new logo, refreshed website and new content.
I also share all the intentions I have for this year, including:
- our continuation of the Natural Learning Haven, where we will be welcoming back my husband, Lukas (we both started our first Family Day Care in 2015 in Canberra together)
- more support and resources for parents, including 1:1 sessions, online courses and workshops - including the upcoming for LIVE round of Month of Self Care - this is a collaboration with Vivian Viester who came on the podcast for Ep 20
- the brand new Spirited Hearts™ Approach to Early Learning Certification Program - this is something I have been working towards for the better part of a decade, and I share more information on it in this episode.
Enjoy, and I look forward to bringing you more beautiful, inspiring and meaningful conversations in 2023.
Resources Mentioned:
Where to Find Steph:
Website https://spiritedhearts.net
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spirited_hearts
ABOUT STEPH
Steph Fleeton is the creator and founder of Spirited Hearts™ which is a multi-service community supporting children and families. She is a Parenting Support Counsellor, Aware Parenting Instructor and Early Learning Educator.
Steph has spent the better part of two decades, dedicated to child development, trauma and providing support to children, their families and early childhood educators.
She created her Natural Learning & Healing Haven to provide the strongest emotionally supportive environment in the industry, which is trauma-informed, and where children have the space and freedom to be their beautiful, unique selves.
In 2023, Steph will be launching the very first live round for her Certification Program for the Spirited Hearts Approach to Early Learning. This is for teachers, educators and anyone wanting to create their own natural learning haven from home.
Steph has two children; one with Autism and the other who suffered from an extremely rare and life-threatening medical condition for the first 5 years of his life. Steph is extremely passionate about assisting parents with children who have special needs and medical conditions. She provides 1:1 support, providing a space filled with unconditional acceptance, compassion, empathy and deep listening.
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 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.”
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