alternative education programmes new zealand

They may also look for places that invite the participation of the student to make decisions about their own lives and how the school operates. Often, these parents seek “schools” that are in alignment with their educational, political and spiritual beliefs and are willing to work with the school to make their children’s time there successful. Perhaps they or their children prefer a somewhat more structured and defined community.

Some parents may feel, for one reason or another, that home-based learning is not the best option for them. Local homeschooling groups also have support meetings where you can learn about classes, opportunities, family co-operatives for child-care and learning, and online resources for use at home or at your public library. This site offers a sampling of the many resources available to support home-based learning. It’s important to remember that home is just the base, and that much of the learning can take place in the wider community, either informally or more formally mixing with other children and adults.

And once the children are mature enough, they can also be more independent.) Some find ways to perform their work alongside their children. Many two-career couples have found creative ways to adjust their schedules, trade off duties with other families and/or childcare providers (perhaps in a co-op arrangement), and take advantage of times when the children are attending classes or other drop-off activities. (It’s not necessary for one parent to stay home full-time. Some parents who deeply enjoy watching and helping their children learn and grow, and who can accommodate their schedules, are tempted to try home-based self-directed learning. Many parents recognize this and eventually also discover that learning is natural, but schooling is a choice.Īt this stage, there are three main alternatives to schooling: home-based learning, democratic schools, or community resource centers. By trying to make children learn by placing them in highly controlled school environments for longer and longer periods of their lives, modern schooling became an industrial process that is totally different from the way children naturally learn and grow.

Alternative education programmes new zealand