One of the odd things about home education is how many myths surround it. For example, there is often this theory that only the rich can do it, that it’s out of reach of ordinary families as they can’t afford for one parent not to work. In my experience that’s just not true, though certainly [...]
The whole early years/ school age thing and home education, with a book review.
Increasingly via twitter I’m getting contacted about home education. This is good. I’m glad that ppl have somewhere to reach out to. When I was considering it for Big, all those years ago, my online answers came courtesy of the Muddlepuddle, now Early Years, yahoo group. That group put me in touch with a fantastic [...]
Hannibal returns.
Learning to read – a carnival!
So sorry this has taken me so long to post. without any further ado… Here’s Katie from Outside the Box with her Change makes you wanna hustle post about different approaches for different children. Drool over the absolute gorgeousness that is Chris’s post on the subject, Ready to Read, Something for the weekend. (Seriously, I [...]
Learning to read, take three.
What with the whole home education thing, I’ve been very involved in the learning to read process for both of my older children. I think I’ve learnt something from that experience. Point 1 – there is no one way that suits all children. I know about the current educational vogue for synthetic phonics, and I [...]
A quick rant.
I’ve been inspired by an article in a newspaper to have a quick end of year rant. Toby Young is displaying his educational ignorance in the Independent. As the father of three boys under five, I share the Government’s concerns. My oldest boy, four-year-old Ludo, started in reception last September and is finding it more [...]
How do you get from no structure to sats
A tale of two children.
My children are very similar, and very different. I’m often accused of cloning, which I find amusing now that they are growing up – Big’s hair has darkened and her blue eyes are now brown. Small is still blond and blue eyed, but they are so very obviously brother and sister. Stick their half sibling [...]
Pondering that statement of intent from the home education review.
autonomy vs peace and quiet…
I have been waiting since January for my children to deschool, stop watching endless CBBC or playing on mind numbing websites, for them to show and develop some interests and learn to get along instead of screeching and bickering all day. I’ve run out of patience Maybe I don’t respond in the right way or [...]




