Following your Interests!

Following Your Interests!

(There's a video about this topic below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

You'll often hear people saying that one of the benefits of homeschooling is that young people have the freedom to

Activities, Activities! -Melinda Harrington

Activities, Activities!

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie down below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

When I list out the so called ‘extra-curricular’ activities that we have been involved with over the years – I start to feel exhausted. I know that we are not unusual as a homeschooling family – getting out there and involved in activities outside of the home seems to play a really large

Values. -Melinda Harrington

Values.

-Melinda Harrington

Are there intrinsic values that you are able to instill in your children as homeschool parents that are different from the values that children learn at school?  Well, after much consideration my opinion is … Yes, of course!

The Dreaded “S” Word – Socialization - Melinda Harrington

The Dreaded “S” Word – Socialization

- Melinda Harrington

The Correct Amount and Appropriate Quality of Socialization

(There's a video made by Marnie at the end of this post you can watch after reading, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

By far the most common question homeschoolers are asked is “.. and what about socialization?” Or “What about the social side of things?” Most homeschoolers we know roll their eyes or stifle their laughter when the topic of 'socialization' is raised. Let's

Challenging Days. -Melinda Harrington

Challenging Days.

-Melinda Harrington

Well there’s just no denying the fact that some homeschool days are less than perfect. Some days just don’t go the way we planned, do they?

I remember one day looking at the clock and realizing that it was 2pm, and there was no way that we were going to get started that day. So I gave up, and went to have a shower and change out of my pyjamas. Yes, I had not even managed to

Dealing With Negativity. -Melinda Harrington

Dealing With Negativity.

-Melinda Harrington

Sadly some people who homeschool do not receive positive support from family and friends. Indeed, some homeschooling parents receive a great deal of negativity. I know of some homeschoolers who are constantly

Learning Languages!! By Marnie Harrington

Learning Languages!!

By Marnie Harrington

(There's a video about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

Learning languages is a requirement for homeschooling when you register in Victoria.

Many homeschoolers (and most people) learn a language at some point in their lives, whether it be because of their ethnic backgrounds, or they have a particular place they want to visit or have family in, maybe just curiosity of another culture! I decided to learn Mandarin because

Tweens and Teens – Getting out of the Way! -Melinda Harrington

Tweens and Teens – Getting out of the Way!

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post. Or you could skip straight to it now!)

It’s been fascinating to watch how many home educating families change the way they homeschool as their children grow into the early teens and beyond. Everyone’s experience is different of course, but there have certainly been some major homeschool changes at our house in the past twelve months – so much so that it makes my head spin sometimes.

Different Methods and Approaches to Home Education. - Melinda Harrington

Different Methods and Approaches to Home Education.

- Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

Many people worry intensely about finding the ‘correct’ approach when they commence their home school journey. Over the years I’ve met people who are strictly devoted to one particular method, while others pick and choose from across a range of educational approaches. 

One of the more popular Christian home education programmes is

Best ever homeschool resource -Melinda Harrington

Best ever homeschool resource

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 

All homeschool families are different – now that’s an understatement! I’ve been lucky enough to visit with dozens of homeschool families over the years, and what I’ve noticed is

Why now? Why is Home Education Gaining Momentum? -Melinda Harrington

Why now? Why is Home Education Gaining Momentum?

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

The following table is from Information Sheets which are available on the website of  the VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority). 

	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Registrations	3435	3718	3977	4461	4743
Year on year change	-	+ 283	+ 259	+ 484	+ 282
% Change	-	8%	7%	12%	6%

This table appears to indicate

Following a Schedule... or not... -Melinda Harrington

Following a Schedule… or not..

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 I recall a homeschool mum telling me that she had been ‘reported’ to authorities because her neighbour heard the children out playing in the yard during ‘school hours’. According to the neighbour, the children were not being properly educated because they were not sticking rigidly to school hours.

I know of many home educating families who follow a daily schedule that includes traditional school subjects, along with play times, sports time and reading times. And then again there are those families who

How do you measure success? - Melinda Harrington

How do you measure success?

- Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 Having met so many successful young people who have been home schooled, I was surprised when someone recently asked me “..but how do you measure success?” It got me thinking about how the measure of ‘success’ is a subjective thing.

For some people ‘success’ equates with

Homeschool spaces: Arranging your home and your life - Melinda Harrington

Homeschool spaces: Arranging your home and your life

- Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

 When I began the homeschool journey I had no idea how important finding a “place to do our homeschool” would

My Best Ever Homeschool Day. -Melinda Harrington

My Best Ever Homeschool Day.

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

Aaaah! Too many best ever homeschool days to choose from! I’m thinking of a day when my daughter was about

Advice for new homeschooling parents! -Marnie Harrington

Advice for new homeschooling parents!
-Marnie Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

For some parents, finally deciding to homeschool can feel like a leap of faith - a real gamble. Parents considering homeschool might stress that their child will fall behind educationally.  They may worry that if their children return to school, they won't keep up or may even be put down a grade or two. Other parents commence homeschooling without a doubt in their minds! They are full of confidence and are ready to take on the challenge!

If you're in the first category, let me put your mind at ease;

Launch!