In this episode 29 titled, “Should Children Under 16 Be Banned from Using Social Media?” , Brett and Ellen discuss the controversial topic of whether children under 16 should be banned from using social media. They explore the mental health impacts, safety concerns, and the roles of parents and government in regulating social media use among young people.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Mental Health Concerns: Statistics showing the link between social media use and poor mental health outcomes in adolescents.
• Safety Issues: Risks of image-based sexual abuse, privacy concerns, and negative interactions online.
• Parent and Government Roles: The need for parents to regulate their children’s social media use and the government’s potential interventions.
• Personal Experiences: Ellen shares insights from her experience with her children and social media.
• Possible Solutions: Strategies for parents to manage and reduce social media use in their households.

The post Should children under 16 be banned from using social media? | 029 appeared first on Euka.

In Episode 28 of the “Future Learners” podcast titled, “Should children learn handwriting in this digital world?“, Brett and Ellen discuss whether children should learn handwriting in today’s digital world. They explore the cognitive benefits of handwriting, the impact of handwriting on learning and memory, and whether cursive writing should still be taught.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Importance of Handwriting:
  • Handwriting as a form of communication and its cognitive benefits.
  • Studies show that handwriting helps retain information better than typing.
  • Handwriting activates unique neural circuits in the brain, aiding in learning.
• Cursive Writing Debate:
  • Finland’s approach: stopped teaching cursive writing in 2016.
  • Discussion on whether cursive writing should still be taught.
  • Benefits and challenges of cursive writing for different children.
• Cognitive Benefits:
  • Comparison to learning a musical instrument in terms of brain activity.
  • Handwriting helps with letter recognition and slows down the learning process, making it more effective.
• Personal Experiences and Teaching Strategies:
  • Ellen shares personal experiences and strategies for teaching handwriting to her children.
  • Creating a positive environment for handwriting practice.
• Spelling and Grammar:
  • Debate on the correlation between handwriting and spelling skills.
  • The impact of digital tools on spelling and grammar proficiency.
• Future of Handwriting:
  • Discussion on the potential future of handwriting in education.
  • Importance of communication skills and how handwriting plays a role.

The post Should children learn handwriting in this digital world? | 028 appeared first on Euka.

In Episode 27 of the “Future Learners” podcast titled, “The #1 Skill for Children to Learn.”, Brett and Ellen discuss the critical skill of reading, emphasising its importance in acquiring knowledge and effective communication. They provide practical tips for parents to support their children’s reading journey, from choosing the right books to incorporating different learning modalities.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Introduction and Importance of Reading:
  • Reading as a fundamental communication skill and a means of acquiring knowledge.
  • The disparity in reading abilities among different socioeconomic groups in Australia.
• Role of Parents in Learning to Read:
  • Parents’ involvement in their child’s early reading stages.
  • Tips for parents to make reading enjoyable and accessible.
• Starting Points for Reading:
  • Begin with phonics and sounds.
  • Choose books based on the child’s interests.
• Challenges and Solutions:
  • Addressing difficulties like dyslexia and the importance of seeking expert help.
  • The impact of learning styles on reading success.
• Practical Tips:
  • Use shared reading and interactive games to reinforce learning.
  • Explore different formats such as audiobooks, e-readers, and physical books.
• Personal Anecdotes and Advice:
  • Brett and Ellen share their personal experiences with reading.
  • Encouragement to find books that capture the child’s interest and provide a variety of reading materials.

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In episode 26 of the “Future Learners” podcast titled, “When should your child do work experience?” Brett and Ellen discuss the importance of work experience for homeschooled children. They emphasise the flexibility homeschooling provides in exploring various fields, starting as early as Grade 7. Parents play a crucial role in finding opportunities and supporting their children. Personal anecdotes illustrate the confidence and independence gained through work experience. The episode also covers legal considerations, such as insurance, and offers practical tips for making the most of these opportunities.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Overview of Work Experience:
  • Discussion on the importance of work experience, especially for secondary and senior year students.
  • Benefits of work experience for primary school students to start thinking about future opportunities.
• Homeschooling Advantage:
  • Homeschooling provides more opportunities for varied work experiences compared to traditional schools.
  • Flexibility in scheduling and exploring different fields.
• Starting Points:
  • Begin with family and friends to find work experience opportunities.
  • Importance of work experience at different ages, starting as early as Grade 7 or as late as Grade 9 or 10.
• Benefits of Work Experience:
  • Builds confidence and independence.
  • Helps students understand real-world job expectations and develop a sense of contribution.
  • Provides a practical view of potential career paths.
• Parents’ Role:
  • Parents should guide and support children in finding and applying for work experience opportunities.
  • Helping with emails, applications, and providing context to potential employers.

The post When should your child do work experience? | 026 appeared first on Euka.

In this episode of “Future Learners,” titled, ‘How to build a strong family unit‘ hosts Brett and Ellen discuss the essential elements for building a strong family unit, emphasising the importance of effective communication, shared values, and the unique dynamics of diverse family structures. They highlight practical strategies such as setting clear roles and responsibilities, spending quality time together, and the significance of flexibility and adaptability in nurturing a supportive and resilient family environment.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Foundation of a Strong Family Unit:
  • Brett emphasises the importance of deeper conversations that create a strong foundation for families, which is crucial for growth and success in all aspects of life.
• Communication as the Bedrock:
  • Effective communication is highlighted as the bedrock for successful family dynamics, involving open and honest dialogues, active listening, and conflict resolution. This is essential for creating alignment within the family.
• Diverse Family Structures:
  • Ellen shares insights from a single parent’s perspective, discussing the challenges and strategies in building a strong family unit without the traditional two-parent setup. She stresses the importance of resilience and acceptance within varied family dynamics.
• Shared Values and Beliefs:
  • The episode discusses the importance of establishing shared values within the family, which can be communicated and reinforced through regular family meetings and discussions about family expectations and behaviours.
• Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Clear roles and responsibilities are crucial for maintaining order and understanding within the family. This segment covers the significance of clarity in who does what, which helps in minimising conflicts and misunderstandings.
• Quality Time over Quantity:
  • Brett and Ellen discuss the importance of spending quality time together as a family rather than focusing solely on the quantity of time spent. They explore how meaningful interactions can strengthen family bonds.
• Celebrating Achievements:
  • Recognising and celebrating each family member’s achievements is vital for reinforcing positive behaviours and contributions, which enhances a sense of belonging and appreciation.

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Hosts, Brett Campbell and Ellen Brown discuss the importance of understanding and leveraging different learning preferences to enhance educational experiences for children. They explore how various learning styles can impact engagement and retention, in our latest episode titled: How to Retain 90% of Everything You Learn.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Parental Involvement: The discussion highlights the role of parents in identifying and fostering their child’s learning preferences. Ellen notes that many parents may not be aware of their own or their child’s learning styles, impacting their ability to support their child’s education effectively.
• Practical Application: Tips are given on how to create a learning environment that accommodates various learning styles. For instance, auditory learners might benefit more from discussions or listening to information, whereas kinesthetic learners engage better through hands-on activities.
• Importance of Flexibility: The hosts discuss the necessity of flexibility in teaching methods to cater to different learning needs without strictly adhering to one method, acknowledging that learning preferences can change over time.
• Educational Outcomes: Brett shares insights into the different outcomes associated with various teaching methods based on the “learning pyramid,” which suggests higher retention rates from active engagement and teaching others compared to passive learning methods like lectures.
• Lifelong Learning: Both hosts agree on the importance of continuous learning and adapting teaching strategies based on ongoing observations and feedback from children, suggesting that effective learning also involves adjusting to children’s evolving needs and interests.
• Community and Communication: They stress the importance of communication and community in the learning process, encouraging parents to discuss and share learning experiences with their children to reinforce knowledge and skills.
• Personal Experience: Ellen and Brett share personal anecdotes to illustrate how understanding and applying different learning preferences can significantly affect educational engagement and retention.

The post How to retain 90% of everything you learn! | 024 appeared first on Euka.

Euka parent Brooke shares her transformative journey of homeschooling her son, Noah, who faces unique challenges such as dyslexia, ASD, and ADHD. She discusses the initial struggles with traditional schooling, the pivotal decision to homeschool, and the substantial progress Noah has made through tailored learning approaches that suit his needs.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Initial Challenges: Brooke initially resisted homeschooling due to traditional schooling expectations but reconsidered after her son’s negative experiences in kindergarten.
• Decision to Homeschool: The lack of support at school and Noah’s health issues led Brooke and her husband to choose homeschooling.
• COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic exposed the deficiencies of remote schooling provided by the school, further affirming their decision.
• Educational Adjustments: Brooke emphasised customising Noah’s education to accommodate his dyslexia and neurodiversity, significantly improving his reading level.
• Support and Resources: Brooke utilised various resources, including audiobooks and targeted educational materials, to cater to Noah’s interests and learning style.
• Regulatory Navigation: They navigated homeschooling regulations and utilised Euka’s services to ensure compliance and receive support.
• Benefits of Homeschooling: Homeschooling allowed for a flexible schedule that suited Noah’s health needs, and Brooke observed remarkable improvements in his confidence and social skills.
• Ongoing Commitment: Brooke remains dedicated to adapting the educational content to keep Noah engaged and progressing at his own pace.

The post Homeschooling with Dyslexia, ASD, and ADHD: A Mother’s Inspirational Journey | 023 appeared first on Euka.

In the “Unlock Funding for Homeschooling” episode, Brett and Ellen delve into government support options for homeschooling families, highlighting Centrelink benefits and the Assistance for Isolated Children’s Scheme. They emphasise the need for homeschooling registration and professional validation to access these funds, advocating for fair financial support for homeschooling.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Introduction to homeschooling payments and allowances, with a focus on government support for families involved in homeschooling.
• The disparity in funding between public school students and homeschooled students and the quest for fairness in financial support.
• Centrelink JobSeeker benefits and allowances for homeschooling parents, including potential exemptions from job search requirements and the possibility of increased payments.
• The Assistance for Isolated Children’s Scheme (AIC), offers financial support not only for geographically isolated families but also for children with special education needs, including those with disabilities, medical conditions, or learning difficulties.
• The significant financial support provided by the AIC, potentially more than $4,000 per year, backdated to the start of the approval year, and its availability per child rather than per family.
• The requirement for professional validation (from psychologists, doctors, etc) to access funds intended for children with specific needs, emphasises the importance of official homeschooling registration and professional recommendations.
• The episode emphasises the importance of self-research and proactive information gathering when seeking government support for homeschooling, advocating for the allocation of educational funding directly to homeschooling families.
  

If you would like to find out more about the Isolated Children Scheme, you can do so by clicking this link.

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Episode 21, “Moving from School to Homeschooling in Term 2,” offers a comprehensive guide for families considering the switch to homeschooling. It discusses preparation, curriculum choices, and setting a conducive learning environment to ensure a smooth transition.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts here. 

• Timeliness of Transition: Anytime is good to start homeschooling, including after Term 1, offering flexibility to families considering the shift.
• Ease of Transition: Transitioning to homeschooling can be smooth, with support available to address any learning gaps from the previous term.
• Curriculum Continuity: Homeschooling aligns with the Australian curriculum, ensuring educational consistency and allowing children to seamlessly integrate or revert to traditional schooling if needed.
• Customised Learning: Homeschooling offers personalised learning experiences, accommodating various learning styles and needs.
• Registration Process: Parents can initiate homeschooling at any term, and while registration with the education department is required, it’s manageable with resources and guidance from homeschooling providers like Euka.
• Child’s Well-being: Parents should prioritise their child’s well-being and educational needs when deciding to transition to homeschooling, especially if the child faces challenges in the traditional school environment.
• School Communication: Clear communication with schools is vital, especially when transitioning to homeschooling, to ensure understanding and support for the child’s educational journey.
• Future Prospects: Homeschooling does not limit future educational or career opportunities for children, with many pathways available including university, TAFE, traineeships, and other vocational routes.

The post Moving from School to Homeschooling in term 2 | 021 appeared first on Euka.

Brett and Ellen offer practical strategies for cost-effective homeschooling, highlighting the importance of planning, leveraging community resources, and prioritising experiences over expensive materials. They also discuss the benefits of utilising government support, preparing learning spaces, and investing wisely in durable educational tools.

Tune into this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by clicking here. 

• Financial Planning: Starting with an understanding of personal finances, budgeting for homeschooling is part of the family budget. This includes planning and prioritising expenses.
• Valuing Experiences: Placing a high value on experiences rather than expensive materials, and understanding that the value of experiences outweighs material costs.
• Government Benefits and Tax Breaks: Investigating available government assistance, such as tax breaks and additional benefits for homeschooling families, and ensuring to inquire and be informed about them.
• Utilising Community Resources: Leveraging libraries, museums, parks, nature reserves, community centres, and community colleges for educational experiences, as well as embracing volunteering opportunities as part of learning.
• Organising Affordable Local Field Trips: Planning various educational outings that can range from free to low-cost, tying them into the learning curriculum, and ensuring these activities are enjoyable and memorable for children.
• Organisation and Preparation: The importance of organising learning materials and planning resources needed in advance to facilitate a smooth and enjoyable learning experience.
• Creating Conducive Learning Spaces: Setting up learning environments that are inviting and effective for the child, and being adaptable with the learning space whether it’s a dedicated room or a family area like the kitchen table.
• Investing in Quality Equipment: Recommending investment in items that offer long-term value, such as a good chair for the child’s comfort during learning, and being creative with resources to facilitate learning.

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