Archive for October, 2023

[Podcast #206] Put Your Kids in the Driver’s Seat!

Brave Writer Podcast

Have you ever stopped to marvel at the unique skills and knowledge your children possess? Sometimes, they have these fascinating insights about their favorite TV show or a little trick they’ve learned to make the perfect dessert. It’s got me thinking—our children can be our teachers too!

Put your kids in the driver’s seat and watch learning flourish!

Today on the Brave Writer podcast, we’re going to dive deep into the idea of letting our children become our educators and the beautiful transformations this role reversal can bring about for both sides.

Show Notes

Learning As a Family Journey

Traditionally, teaching is seen as a one-way street, with educators or parents imparting wisdom to their young learners. This perspective often loaded me with pressure, making me feel like I had the sole responsibility to mold my child into the ‘ideal student.’ But what if there’s another way?

Imagine letting our kids “take the driver’s seat,” teaching us in subjects they’re passionate about. It not only boosts their confidence but also offers us a fresh lens—seeing the world anew through their eyes.

One concept I’ve been mulling over is “learning in public.” It’s about letting our kids see us try, stumble, and then rise again. By showing them our vulnerable moments, they learn that mistakes and setbacks are stepping stones to success.

When I took this approach to reading, I discovered the essence of “elaboration”—integrating new knowledge into what we already know. It’s a powerful way to enrich understanding and memory, echoing Charlotte Mason’s “science of relations.”

Unpacking the Power of Teaching

When our kids wear the educator’s hat, they aren’t just sharing knowledge. They’re honing diverse skills from analytical thinking to emotional intelligence. My son, Noah, is a great example. His love for board games laid the foundation for his journey in programming.

I’ve also learned the importance of being an engaged listener. It builds an environment where children feel cherished and heard. A method I love is the “pretend podcast interview.” By prompting them with open-ended questions, their enthusiasm lights up, making them delve deeper into their passions.

One of my cherished memories is exploring astronomy with my son Jacob. His passion turned my indifference into awe. Just like a mother who, after attending a conference, developed a newfound respect for her son’s bug collection. We need to make room for our kids to have interests that intimidate us. These shared learning moments are pure gold.

Fostering a Playful Learning Environment

Melissa and I often discuss the need for a vibrant, light-hearted approach to learning. By instilling joy into the process, we pave the way for our kids to embrace risks and cherish every step of their educational journey.

To capture the magic of mutual learning, it’s crucial to build an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding, and encouragement. This environment not only uplifts our kids but rejuvenates us as parents, turning the entire learning experience into a cherished adventure.

So, dear readers, let’s occasionally switch roles and let our children guide the way!

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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Brave Writer’s 12 Precepts

Brave Writer's 12 Precepts

I’ll be sharing Brave Writer’s 12 Precepts over the next weeks and will list them here as they’re posted individually on the blog.

These concepts enable homeschool parents to find their way to:

  • joy,
  • peace,
  • and progress.

The 12 Precepts

Click on the precept number for more thoughts.

#1: Our home is a home—a place of loving and learning—not a school.

#2: We are a family of learners—parents and children—making progress each at our own pace.

#3: Our practice is flexible—guided by a child’s curiosity, a parent’s broader knowledge of the world, and the unique opportunities that come our way.

#4: We plan ahead or we plan from behind, whichever serves in the moment.

#5: We coordinate academics with our children’s delights, passions, and skills. We are the seekers and finders of everyday magic.

#6: We take risks and experiment with methods, knowing we can double back any time to sure footing.

#7: Our life together is protected by our commitment to honesty, to emotional safety, to loving each other, and to creative problem-solving.

#8: We acknowledge challenges and face them bravely. We reach out to others, knowing that help helps.

#9: Our allegiance is to what’s right for our family, not any one homeschool method, community, or model.

#10: We will come to know ourselves better as educators, parents, and awesome adults!

#11: Our children experience their achievements as personally meaningful.

#12: We affirm that a good enough homeschool is one where our family chooses to see all of life as an opportunity for an education—whether we homeschool to the end, or include traditional schooling in that journey.

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Brave Writer Precept #1: Our Home is a Home Not a School

Brave Writer Precepts

The first Brave Writer precept is: Our home is a home—a place of loving and learning—not a school.

Lots of parents ask me how to leave school and embrace a life of learning with their children at home. My mission inside Brave Writer (my company that teaches writing, language arts, literature, and how to homeschool) is to support parents of any kind who choose to invest deeply in their children’s education.

Homeschoolers invest by staying home with their children and providing the primary instruction for the school subjects.

Some people see homeschooling as what I call “School to Table.” They take the textbooks and worksheets of school and implement a schedule that looks like a classroom.

Recast Learning

That said, homeschool offers an opportunity to recast learning into a vibrant, self-paced adventure that the family shares.

My book, The Brave Learner, is a great starting point for envisioning a different way of life for learning (whether you homeschool full time or simply invest deeply in your child’s education after school). Ironically, the brave learner in my book is YOU—the parent—learning how to provide the best context and most joyful approach to learning.

Becoming a Brave Learner requires a paradigm shift—

  • to find your footing,
  • to grow your practice,
  • and to feel comfortable in your own skin as a home educator.

So I’ll be sharing Brave Writer’s 12 precepts over the next weeks. These concepts enable homeschool parents to find their way to joy, peace, and progress.

These are not merely pretty words. Save them in a file and read them over morning coffee or tea as a meditation.

Allow them to:

  • ground,
  • orient,
  • and guide you.

Try them as personal copywork. And let your homeschool-curious friends know!

Brave Writer’s 12 Precepts

Brave Learner Home

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Friday Freewrite: Last Domino Standing

Friday Freewrite

Some people set up dominoes in a pattern then knock the first one down which causes the rest to fall one by one. Imagine you are the last domino in line. What would you see and think as you watch your fellow pieces hit the ground closer and closer to you?

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

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[Podcast] Building a Family Heritage through Homeschool with Amber O’Neal Johnston – Part Three

Brave Writer Podcast

Representation and diversity in media play a crucial role in shaping the self-worth and perception of children. We’re continuing our in-depth discussion (Part One/Part Two) with Amber O’Neal Johnston about her book, A Place to Belong.

Amber O'Neal Johnston
Amber O’Neal Johnston

On today’s Brave Writer podcast, we’re delving into the:

  • importance of representation,
  • impact of media algorithms,
  • benefits of innovative education methods,
  • significance of discussing hard history,
  • concept of slow travel and world schooling,
  • and importance of affinity spaces.

Show Notes

Nostalgia vs. Inclusion

Let’s be clear: Visual storytelling, across diverse media platforms, has an outsized influence on children’s self-worth and perceptions. Drawing on the wisdom of the late author Belle Hooks, Amber reflects on the ability of screen images to shape our identities and worldviews. Historically, representation for families of color has been insufficient, underscoring the urgency for quality, diverse, and positively affirming programming.

The casting of a black actress as Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” brought issues of representation and nostalgia to the forefront. Johnston advocates for an increased diversity in characters and stories, highlighting that a broader spectrum of representation benefits all children, fostering appreciation and celebration of diversity.

How Algorithms Shape Our Media Exposure

Media algorithms try to cater to our tastes by pushing content based on our previous interactions. That might not sound so bad in principle, but it can lead to unintended consequences, such as accidental exposure to inappropriate or shocking material. It’s not just limited to sexual content but also extends to racial, ethnic, and cultural themes. With the rise of AI and media platforms, it’s increasingly difficult to shield our children from everything. Therefore, it’s crucial to teach them how to navigate this digital landscape and handle accidental exposure. The goal is to have open discussions about these issues and ensure that our children are prepared to critically engage with media and make choices that align with their values.

Discussing Hard History

Hard history refers to traumatic and tragic events like slavery and the Holocaust. It’s important to explore these difficult topics, even though it can be challenging and emotionally taxing. Inclusivity should be integrated into our learning year-round, not just during specific months or holidays.

World Schooling and Slow Travel

World schooling is a unique approach to homeschooling where you are doing at least part of your education in another place in the world besides where you’re from. It varies from people who travel often for vacations to people who are full-time nomads and everywhere in between. If possible, slow travel is a great way to approach this. Given a few months in an unfamiliar place, you begin to really get an understanding of what it’s like to live there, to know people and to recognize the unique dynamics there. However you do it, the ultimate goal is to learn from the world around you.

After three hours of discussing A Place to Belong, there is still so much to learn and explore. These conversations around culture and inclusion are relevant and important to any and all homeschoolers, and we hope you’ll continue to learn about it and integrate it into your education.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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