With carefully produced and selected materials, plenty of choice and encouraging guidance from adults, even the youngest children can be self-directed and learn the practical skills we expect from a school or homeschool program. With Hands-On Home-Learning for a Sustainable World, families are provided with unique materials that encourage children to make choices towards their own learning goals. Through teleconferences with a certified teacher trained to teach the Oak and Orca way, families will learn what to say to their children to encourage them to set their own learning goals, and choose fun learning activities from those made available.

We believe that a child, whether in school or out, should never be discouraged from learning in a self-directed manner. Their schooling should be structured so as to encourage learning when it occurs naturally, to allow for choices in learning activities,and to teach strategies for self-directedness to all students. These strategies include motivation, goal-setting, time management, research, critical thinking, interviewing, discussing, self-assessment, etc. The most important skills children need to learn are those which will allow them to enjoy learning for the rest of their lives.

Hands-On Home-Learning for a Sustainable World is a complete home-learning package including the materials you need for child-directed learning and a connection with a certified teacher trained at Oak and Orca School to support children in their natural learning process. We provide the materials and support, you provide the love and encouragement, trips to the library, and outings to learn about your local home-place.

In summary, child-directed learning at home involves:

• quality learning materials that encourage choice and self-direction
• providing the opportunity for children to be naturally self-directed
• creating opportunities for choice as well as routine
• encouraging 'copying', risk-taking, mistakes and thoughtful 'guessing'
• teacher support to set goals and determine appropriate learning choices
• encouraging children to ask questions, and helping them find answers
• providing regular opportunities to visit local libraries and museums
• arranging outings to places of natural and cultural interest
• providing time for children to try new things out without judgement
• bringing to the forfront skills that people use to learn and be motivated
• allowing children to be actively involved in important decisions at home

"Education is not a form of entertainment, but a means of empowering people to take control of their lives." Unknown

"I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it." Vincent Van Gogh

"Do not judge my intelligence by the answers I give, but instead by the questions I ask." Mark McGranaghan

"The secret in education lies in respecting the student." Ralph Waldo Emerson

LINKS:
The 16 habits of mind identified by Costa and Kallick.