Learning styles/Educational provision

Our son (G) is seven years old and has never attended school. Obviously people are always asking ‘How do we ‘do’ our educating etc.?’ Well, no two days are ever the same. I honestly believe though, that G is coming on really well with his studies. Some days we will spend an hour or so on Maths/English type work. We make it as fun as possible. Currently we are on multiplication. We go outside with some chalks, write some numbers on the floor and then call out different sums for G, to run and find the answer. Yes – very simple but effective. We used a similar game whilst G was learning to tell the time.

Some days we may just do reading or play on the computer. Last month G announced he would like to write a book so he is very busy with that at the moment. G’s friends, who go to school, enjoy visiting our house as we usually have some project on the go that they like to join in with. Lately we have made Roman shields, candles, mini houses using real bricks, papier-mâché and hideouts etc. for action men toys.

Financially we don’t really spend a lot of money on educational resources, although we do go through a lot of ‘reading’ books and paint. I get a lot of ideas from the Internet and devise our own games/lessons using things from around the home. Lego is great for Maths; so is baking, marbles, tape measures etc. We often write to firms such as Walkers crisps etc, explaining we are a home-educating family and asking for information on the company etc. Often you get great packs back to read through and which you can use for a variety of subjects such as history, advertising etc.

I think the main ingredient for educating at home is time, and a desire to learn and be resourceful with your child + have fun!