Australian Homeschool Stories
Sam & Christian - Perth, WA / Whadjuk Noongar Country
Sam & Christian homeschool two of their three "bare feet little nature loving" children whilst their teenage son until recently has always been in the school system. This down to earth couple share the ups and downs of their experiences with school, how a Steiner playgroup opened their minds to this alternative educational pathway and the joy of living amongst the natural splendours of WA.
SUMMARY
- Comparing their son's catholic kinder to their daughter's Steiner playgroup led Christian to suggest they consider homeschool which Sam thought was a crazy idea initially
- Not wanting their kids to be stuck behind a desk all day
- Once you read all the books and know what you know, you can't go back
- Their eldest child's pathway through mainstream schooling, the pressure of getting him into their private school of choice and the devastation Sam felt when he was rejected despite doing backflips to get him in
- Despite their son not wanting to be homeschooled, he has still got a lot of the benefits of the homeschooling lifestyle
- How Christian's FIFO schedule works for their family and affords more quality time for him with their kids
- Sam & Christian's reflection on their own schooling - bullying, bad teachers and just wanting to hang out with their mates
- Beginning homeschool with a Waldorf curriculum which quickly evolved into natural learning and following the interests of their kids
- Falling into a pot of goodness with their community after speed dating on Facebook homeschool groups to find their tribe
- Sam & Christian want their kids to be life long learners, to respect Mother Earth, be free and active and not feel pressured to fit into boxes
- Their advice to parents of teens struggling in the system and to Dads who may be reluctant to embrace this lifestyle
RESOURCES
The Good & The Beautiful - curriculum
Born Wise
Educated by Nature
We Are Nature Network
Wild Movement Perth
INSPIRATION
Stark Raving Dad Blog
Brave Writer Podcast - Julie Bogart
Robin Grille Psychologist
BOOKS
The Wild + Free Family - Ainsley Arment
Homegrown - Ben Hewitt
Weapons of Mass Instruction - John Taylor Gatto
Raising Free People - Akilah S Richards
Last Child in the Woods - Richard Louv
How to Raise a Wild Child - Scott D Sampson
(Consider asking your local library to purchase a copy if they don't currently have these books in their collection)
CONNECT
@little.beach.farm Instagram
@wearenaturenetwork Instagram
Have you for a story to tell?
Connect with us on instagram @australianhomeschoolstories or email australianhomeschoolstories@gmail.com
This podcast is recorded on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land.
Original music - Hazel by Daniel Garrood @garroodcomposer
Listen on Spotify here
Sam & Christian homeschool two of their three "bare feet little nature loving" children whilst their teenage son until recently has always been in the school system. This down to earth couple share the ups and downs of their experiences with school, how a Steiner playgroup opened their minds to this alternative educational pathway and the joy of living amongst the natural splendours of WA.
SUMMARY
- Comparing their son's catholic kinder to their daughter's Steiner playgroup led Christian to suggest they consider homeschool which Sam thought was a crazy idea initially
- Not wanting their kids to be stuck behind a desk all day
- Once you read all the books and know what you know, you can't go back
- Their eldest child's pathway through mainstream schooling, the pressure of getting him into their private school of choice and the devastation Sam felt when he was rejected despite doing backflips to get him in
- Despite their son not wanting to be homeschooled, he has still got a lot of the benefits of the homeschooling lifestyle
- How Christian's FIFO schedule works for their family and affords more quality time for him with their kids
- Sam & Christian's reflection on their own schooling - bullying, bad teachers and just wanting to hang out with their mates
- Beginning homeschool with a Waldorf curriculum which quickly evolved into natural learning and following the interests of their kids
- Falling into a pot of goodness with their community after speed dating on Facebook homeschool groups to find their tribe
- Sam & Christian want their kids to be life long learners, to respect Mother Earth, be free and active and not feel pressured to fit into boxes
- Their advice to parents of teens struggling in the system and to Dads who may be reluctant to embrace this lifestyle
RESOURCES
The Good & The Beautiful - curriculum
Born Wise
Educated by Nature
We Are Nature Network
Wild Movement Perth
INSPIRATION
Stark Raving Dad Blog
Brave Writer Podcast - Julie Bogart
Robin Grille Psychologist
BOOKS
The Wild + Free Family - Ainsley Arment
Homegrown - Ben Hewitt
Weapons of Mass Instruction - John Taylor Gatto
Raising Free People - Akilah S Richards
Last Child in the Woods - Richard Louv
How to Raise a Wild Child - Scott D Sampson
(Consider asking your local library to purchase a copy if they don't currently have these books in their collection)
CONNECT
@little.beach.farm Instagram
@wearenaturenetwork Instagram
Have you for a story to tell?
Connect with us on instagram @australianhomeschoolstories or email australianhomeschoolstories@gmail.com
This podcast is recorded on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land.
Original music - Hazel by Daniel Garrood @garroodcomposer
Listen on Spotify here