Why would a former Assistant Principal and Primary Teacher choose to homeschool?
It’s a question I’ve been asked a lot lately, and in this episode, I’m sharing my honest thoughts about why our family is seriously considering homeschooling.
After spending 14 years in the education system as a teacher, leader, consultant and behaviour specialist, I never imagined this would be something I’d consider.
But motherhood has completely changed the way I see children, learning and what young kids actually need to thrive.
This conversation isn’t not about criticising schools or teachers. This is not a conversation about whether homeschooling is better than school. I have so much respect for educators and know first-hand how hard they work within a system that places enormous demands on them every day.
Instead, this episode is about asking a different question: What is the best fit for our family?
I share my experience working in schools, what I’ve learned through studying child development, attachment, nervous system development and emotional intelligence, and why those experiences have led me to rethink what education could look like for my own children.
In this episode, I talk about:
- What I believe young children need most in the early years
- The gaps I see between child development research and mainstream schooling
- Why emotional intelligence has become one of my biggest priorities for my children
- The myths around homeschooling and socialisation
- Why I think the future of work and learning is changing rapidly
- The importance of trusting your own family values when making big decisions
It’s a conversation about having the courage to question what’s right for your family, even when it looks different from what everyone else is doing.
Resources for you
Wanting to understand your nervous system better so you can focus on responding rather than reacting? Download ‘Map Your Nervous System States’ HERE as a beautiful starting point.
Connect with Em
Website: emmagentle.com.au
Instagram: @em_gentle
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